Description
This slow cooker applesauce recipe is a simple, hands-off way to create delicious, homemade applesauce with minimal prep. Using just a handful of ingredients, the apples slowly cook with cinnamon and lemon, resulting in a naturally sweet and flavorful treat. You can customize the texture from chunky to smooth, making it perfect for snacks, desserts, or as a healthy topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Applesauce Ingredients
- 8 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 slice lemon peel
- 5 tsp light brown sugar, unpacked
- 1 stick cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker: Spray your slow cooker crock with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the apples from sticking during cooking.
- Add apples: Peel, core, and slice your apples, then place them inside the slow cooker evenly.
- Add lemon peel: Using a vegetable peeler, remove a single slice of lemon peel and add it to the slow cooker with the apples for a subtle citrus aroma.
- Add lemon juice: Pour 1 teaspoon of lemon juice over the apples to enhance flavor and prevent browning.
- Add sweetener: Sprinkle 5 teaspoons of light brown sugar over the apples, then stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add cinnamon stick: Place the cinnamon stick into the slow cooker for warm spice infusion, then cover with the lid to seal.
- Cook slowly: Set the slow cooker to the low heat setting and cook for 6 hours. Stir the mixture every 1–2 hours to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
- Remove spices: After cooking, take out the cinnamon stick and lemon peel from the applesauce.
- Adjust texture: For chunky applesauce, serve immediately. For smooth texture, allow the mixture to cool and then blend until desired consistency is reached.
- Store properly: Transfer the applesauce to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 1 week, or freeze once completely cooled for longer storage.
Notes
- Choosing sweet and tart apple varieties will enhance the depth of flavor in your applesauce.
- Stirring occasionally during cooking helps prevent burning and ensures even softening.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar to taste if you prefer a less sweet or sweeter applesauce.
- Freezing applesauce in portions makes thawing easier for future use.
- This recipe is naturally gluten free and can be made vegan by using non-animal based sweeteners if desired.
