Crockpot Applesauce - Real Convenience Food

Yay, fall! My favorite season is finally upon us; I can stop sweating and I can go apple-picking with my family! If you've never done this, the time is now. You get to eat lots of apples and do silly stuff like this:

Of course, when you pick apples you end up with lots and lots of them. Like, more than you'd ever need or want. But you're not going to waste any, are you? No, you're going to eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And you're still going to have way more than you want.

In order to make a significant dent in your pile, you've got to find a recipe that requires a large number of apples. I've got just such a recipe: applesauce. 

And this applesauce, my friends, is about the easiest you're gonna find. Not only do you just throw everything in the slow cooker, but you don't even have to peel the dang apples! Keeping the skins on also makes this sauce super healthful, as most of the apples' nutrients are in their peels. Apples are not only popular with kids and adults alike, but they are also a good source of Vitamin C, fiber, and polyphenols.

Ingredients
yields: 5 1/2 - 6 cups
  • about 15-20 small/medium apples (preferably organic), cored and quartered*
  • juice of one lemon
  • 1/4c orange juice
  • 1-2T vanilla
  • 1/2t cinnamon**
*My apples (a combination of Baldwin and Cortland) were on the small side; I just filled my 6-QT slow cooker to the top with them; if you're using bigger apples you won't need as many to fill your crockpot!
**I'm a believer that a little cinnamon goes a long way; this amount gives a nice hint of the spice but you should feel free to add more, if it floats your boat.

Fill the Crockpot with your apples, add the rest of your ingredients, and give it all a quick stir. Set it to cook on low for five to six hours. The smell of applesauce cooking away is fantastic; people pay good money for candles that don't smell half as good. 

My apples were fully cooked at about five hours but I left them in for almost six hours; they get more of that gorgeous caramelized flavor and richer color the longer they cook. (Another bonus of keeping the skins on is that the sauce becomes a lovely berry hue).

When your apples are done cooking, let them cool a bit before using an immersion blender to fully incorporate the skins into the sauce. I just pulsed it enough to break up the skins, but not too much, as I didn't want a super smooth sauce. NOTE: if you decide to peel your apples before cooking, you can just run a fork through the cooked apples and they will fall apart into applesauce!
My hubby likes lots of extra cinnamon on his.
OK, so you have all this luscious applesauce...now what? Some suggestions:
  • freeze small batches for future use 
  • add to muffin and pancakes batters
  • put in the custards when you make french toast or bread pudding
  • stir into plain yogurt
  • add a few spoonfuls to sweeten smoothies
  • pack in individual containers to add to lunch boxes
  • top with chopped walnuts, granola, and/or flax or chia seeds
  • put a dollop on latkes (potato pancakes)
  • serve alongside meats, such as roast pork
  • share a jar with friends who didn't get to go apple picking!
The color of your apples' skins will determine the hue of your sauce

Today, I'm going to make a Sour Cream Apple Loaf and maybe a sandwich of sharp cheddar, apple slices and honey mustard. Tomorrow...who knows?


What's your favorite way to use loads of apples?


For some other recipes in our "Real Convenience Food" series check out: Asparagus and Pea SoupTomato, Cucumber & Onion Salad with Feta Cheese; and Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Soup with Asiago Cheese. And don't forget one of our most popular posts ever: our Foolproof Caramelized Onions, made in a Crockpot!


 

This post contains affiliate links, so I make a small commission if you purchase through my links—which helps to keep this blog running. 

Comments

  1. So glad you gals are enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. We went apple picking recently, and made this recipe, it was so easy and it came out delicious!  Almost like an apple "butter" since it was thicker than regular apple sauce.  We like it for breakfast, spread like jam on buttered, toasted gluten-free bread.  

    ReplyDelete
  3. So glad you liked it! It's good to hear the regular blender worked well; I never tried it that way.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just made the applesauce and it's so good!  and it was really easy!  I have never made applesauce before and was surprised it didn't call for sugar or something, but after tasting, it's not needed.  Also I used a regular blender instead of an immersion one and it worked great.  Delish!  and you're right about the wonderful smell in the house too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for trying it (and reporting back)!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very tasty!  Thanks for the idea, definitely a great way to use up some of those apples!  I have a small crockpot, so I think I'll make another batch to put in the freezer.  Definitely delicious right out of the crockpot when it's nice and warm, thank you FBS!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I especially love it warm, right from the crockpot - tastes like warm apple pie!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love this, I do it stove top but to walk away would be great. Love in greek yogurt, love as is for dessert.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I've got a bunch in my freezer, too :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is truly the simplest, yet most delicious applesauce I've ever made.  I loved the color and consistency.  I plan on freezing a bunch of it and using it as a dip, a snack and an oil substitute in baking.  Very versatile!

    ReplyDelete
  11. if you wanna pick it up, i've got a jar ready and waiting for ya!

    ReplyDelete
  12. wow that looks great. I'll have to get a slow cooker. This is my favorite tip. "share a jar with friends who didn't get to go apple picking!" I hope it's your too Justine!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yeah, we went on Sunday--earlier in the season than we usually do--because we weren't sure the weather would cooperate later on. Had to grab the opportunity on a rare sunny day! It was quite muddy, though, and most people were wearing wellies...

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yum yum!!! I just need this rain to stop so I can go picking but maybe we'll just put on our boots and do some muddy picking... The season will end before we know it!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. My husband and I are *in love* with this recipe. We've made it twice from apples from our CSA and it is so hard not to eat the entire batch at once! We've used lemonade instead of orange juice because we never have oj on hand but we plan to buy some just for this recipe soon. The simplicity of ingredients and the ease of preparing/cooking are exactly what I want in a recipe :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh, and I didn't bother with the blender. The apples just fall apart when you stir it up after 5 hours and I don't mind the skins :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm so glad you're loving this recipe - and so grateful you took the time to come here and post a review! I think lemonade actually sounds like nice substitution. Really, anything citrus-y should do :-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Also shared on the recipe linky at http://www.newlyweds-blog.com/2012/01/25/newlyweds-recipe-linky-8/

    ReplyDelete
  19. Once again another genius idea for the crockpit, Justine!  We have an apple tree up at our cabin and we have a bumper crop of apples this year, so I know what I'm going have to make now!!  Thanks for another great recipe!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks so much, Lisa, let me know how you like it when you try it!

    PS. So jealous you have your own apple tree!

    ReplyDelete
  21. love this recipe because it doesn't have you adding in all this sugar. 
    Question:  do the peels cook down to nothing?? 
    question:  i do like the idea of freezing it in small bags.....  but has anyone put this in canning jars??

    ReplyDelete
  22. Used the green apples from my backyard tree that I had put in the freezer several months ago.......sprinkled a little organic cane sugar on individual servings to taste.....very easy....very good....my husband calls it "apple pudding."  thank you...

    ReplyDelete
  23. Fabulous, so glad you liked it!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Linda - The peels get very soft and cook down A LOT. If you scroll down in these comments, you'll see a review that mentions that her family doesn't bother with the immersion blender. I personally like the blender to break down the skins all the way. As for the canning, i've never done that, but I can't see why it wouldn't work to can it as you would do with jams...

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love this idea! I always used my Dutch oven but the idea of just letting it do its work (the Crockpot) is wonderful!

    Love that you offered suggestions on what to do with it!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks, Janice! I'm all about making things as easy as possible in the kitchen (in a real food way, of course ;-)

    Appreciate your feedback!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Just made a batch of this with our first bag of cortlands we picked. Wow. it is OUTSTANDING!! So easy, and so delicious. like candy it tastes so good. thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I've made my applesauce and apple butter this way for years. Thanks for sharing it. I wait until it cools and put it in my Vitamix, but we like a smooth applesauce. I also add a little clove and nutmeg.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks for posting! Adding clove and nutmeg must make your home smell divine...

    ReplyDelete
  31. Is it possible to grind this up using a food mill?  I just bought one for applesauce and baby food,

    ReplyDelete
  32. Absolutely, the food mill would work great!

    ReplyDelete
  33. This recipe was "deee leee cious" says my 2 year old, Wendell. After a fun afternoon of apple picking we made this twice. He loved being a part of this meal from start to finish- picking the apples, "cutting"  them, putting the apples in the crock pot, squeezing the juice and adding the cinnamon.  We let it cook overnight and ate it warm in the morning with greek yogurt and granola. He even helped spoon it into jars to gift his little friends and their mamas that have new babies.  It was enjoyed by many and Wendell loves telling people the story of how he made apple sauce.  I will try to share some photos soon. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  34. WAY better than any applesauce I have ever had! My 16 month old was two hands deep trying to eat it all up. Had to set some aside to put on my ice cream for dessert! Trying out my second batch tomorrow. Can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thank you, what an awesome review!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I love to hear this! So important to get our kiddos involved in preparing healthy foods :-)

    ReplyDelete
  37. This sounds great! Im going to the it now. You should try my recipe for Crockpot Apple Pie Cake! Yummm!

    ReplyDelete
  38. We make it every year now and it's always perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love that you used the crock pot for this! And, I love homemade applesauce with yogurt for breakfast. Thanks for reminding me. Must make this soon!

    ReplyDelete
  40. We adore applesauce from a crock pot, this rendition looks mouthwatering!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts