I am SO excited to share today’s homemade applesauce recipe with you guys today!
After our trip to the apple orchard last weekend, we undoubtedly came home with a lot of apples. And for once in my life, I actually knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. Homemade applesauce, baby!
My mom has always made homemade applesauce and it’s absolutely delicious. However, she makes hers using a strainer and a bunch of other jazz that involves standing over the stove. I did not want to do this. So I broke out my trusty crockpot instead.
Of course, any time I’m baking with apples, I always use my Apple Peeler, Corer, and Slicer. This thing is a life saver AND a time saver. Seriously, if you don’t have one, I would highly recommend it! You can also use it with potatoes, too.
But back to the goods…
I took about 8 medium sized Macintosh apples (my favorite for baking), had them do their thing on the contraption above, cut each peeled/cored apple in half (also to check and see that the corer actually got out all of the seeds…sometimes they’re aligned weird) and tossed them in the crockpot.
I then added a little water, some brown sugar for a little sweetness, and some spices sprinkled on top. Then I threw on the lid, turned the crockpot on high, and let it do its magic.
I checked in on it a few times to give it a little stir and the smell? Ohhh emmm geeeee.
After about 5 hours or so, the apples were noticeably softer so I grabbed my potato masher and mashed everything up just a bit better, but not all the way because I still wanted to keep some chunks in there. And just like that, I had applesauce.
But I’m telling you, this is not just any applesauce.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that my “recipe” is revolutionary or anything. In fact, I’m sure if I went and searched, there’s probably a bunch that sound just like it. But I think the main reason I’m so in love with it is the use of brown sugar over white sugar.
The brown sugar gives it the most decadent flavor, that completely reminds me of apple crisp. It’s basically like dessert. And I’ll let you know that it’s ALSO delicious topped with some crushed graham crackers or a little granola. Seriously. Just like dessert.
The Best Crockpot Applesauce EVER
Ingredients
- 8 Macintosh apples peeled, sliced, and cored
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/4 light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Peel/slice/core all of the apples and place them in a crockpot. Add water, then sprinkle apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cover and cook on high for 5 hours (or low for 8-9 hours) or until apples are softened. Use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash/puree the apples to the consistency of your liking (although they will break down quite a bit so go easy on them!). Stir and enjoy!
I’ve already made two batches of this applesauce and will probably need to make a third within another couple of days. It’s just THE best!
In case you’ve got an abundance of apples and are looking for MORE delicious apple recipes, here are a couple of my favorites:
Courtney’s Apple Crisp (<—this is next on my “to make” list!)
Vanilla Glazed Cranberry Apple Cookies
Apple Cider Cupcakes with Apple Cider Cream Cheese Frosting (<—this one doesn’t need apples, but it does use apple cider, which you always leave the apple orchard with!)
Creamy (Eat With Anything) Fruit Dip (<—goes AMAZING with apple slices!)
Happy baking, my friends!
Brynn says
The apple corer/peeler/slicer is one of my favorite tools because it makes the process of making applesauce so easy! I always make mine in the stove but definitely want to try this slow cooker version!!
Courtney says
Yes! Definitely much easier to handle with a new babe in the house ;)
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I must find one of those apple peeler things! I have a ton of apples from an apple orchard, but haven’t figured out what to do with them. This may be a winner!
Britt@MyOwnBalance says
Oh this is a great idea! I made an apple crisp with the apples we got picking but unfortunately we couldn’t finish the whole thing! I definitely want to try this. Your crockpot is so pretty!
Courtney says
Couldn’t finish apple crisp?!?! That is crazy talk! ;)
Torry @ A World Without Wheat says
This looks amazing – I am going to try making it this weekend!!! Thank you for posting this :-)
Courtney says
Of course! Let me know if you do and how it turned out!!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
Homemade applesauce is literally the best thing ever! My dad has an apple orchard and gave me a bunch of different apples, so I’ve been making it almost every week. And I have that apple peeler too and it makes life SO much easier. I can’t live without it!
Courtney says
Your dad has an apple orchard?!? OMG how awesome is that???
Kelly @ Femme Fitale says
My inlaws have an orchard on their farm too, Holly!! My m-i-l was using one of those apple peelers this summer too for pies. I’d never seen one before (it almost looks a bit retro), but couldn’t believe what an amazing job it does. Need!
This apple sauce looks fab, Courtney! I like that the sugar is quite low as well; good for the little guy :)
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
This is perfect timing! I just made 2 huge batches of apple butter but I STILL have apples left from my apple picking trip. Apple sauce is next!
Courtney says
Awwwww, CONGRATS on your baby on the way, Melissa!!! So exciting! :)
Jasmine @ a cupcake for my thoughts says
This looks so delicious! I’m so glad you shared this recipe because I can never find just plain applesauce to buy here in England, for some odd reason but I think applesauce is a very American food! Can’t wait to try this recipe out!
Gracie says
those apple corer/peelers are THE BOMB. my mom got one from Pampered Chef like, 20 years ago, and we still use it all the time! Great for apple crisp ;)
Alexa @ Simple Eats says
I LOVE applesauce. It’s even great with a sprinkling of hemp hearts on top…Ik that sounds weird, but it adds a lot of nutty flavor. Definitely making this recipe with my Honeycrisps!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
Perfect timing for this recipe! I have a bunch of apples that will go to waste if I do not act fast. Thanks for sharing!
Amanda says
I have a very similar recipe that always turns out amazing: I omit the sugar, but add to the apples some water (or fresh apple cider if I have some to spare), a cinnamon stick or two, and a lemon peel. SO good :)
Carrie (This Fit Chick) says
oh my gosh who knew you could make applesauce in a crockpot?! I love it!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
I’ve been dying to go apple picking this year and I have a feeling that once I get around to it, I’ll be referring to this post.. So many good recipes and the slow cooker method looks so easy!
Kristine says
Perfect timing! I just bought a new crockpot and have apples sitting in my fridge that need to be used up. They are a bit too sour for eating.
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
I’m sorry … did you say apple cider cream cheese frosting? Oh, I MUST!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I made homemade applesauce for the first time last year and fell in love! It is SO easy to make and tastes 10X better than what you buy in the store.
Silvia @ skinny jeans food says
I guess, I need to get myself that corer because peeling apples by hand is just so time consuming!
BTW, I read your apple crisp recipe and that you hate cutting the flours with the butter —- good tip (learnt from the indominable Ina Garten) — put flours and butter chunks in a food processor and pulse! Takes you just a few pulses and done! (She uses it for making pie crust). —- or just put it just all in a big mixer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSdv7oIP29I
Jenny says
I need to try that applesauce this weekend!! Now I’m craving apples!
Danica @ It's Progression says
Homemade applesauce is always THE BEST! I made a huge crockpot full of it last year and my husband devoured the entire thing in less than a week haha
Bre & Ree says
That is quite the apple peeler!!! I just started using a crock pot and this looks fantastic. The apple bread recipe just gave me an idea for a new recipe, so thanks very much for sharing=)
~Bre
natasha says
I’m all about keeping peels on for fiber and nutrients but I love, love, love your recipe and apples are my favorite fruit. Any and all especially this time of year!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
I’ve never had real, legitimate homemade applesauce!!! I have been missing out! We made homemade apple pies, but haven’t gotten to applesauce yet!
Alex says
I’m with you. It’s sometimes hard to find the patience to stand over the stove and see a recipe from start to finish. I love the idea of using the crockpot to make applesauce. The crockpot is one of my favorite and most used kitchen appliances. It makes getting a tasty meal on the table so easy! This looks so easy and delicious at the same time. Now I just need to go get some apples to make this.
kristen @ livinlifeinlouie says
I can’t wait to make this! do you think you can use any type of apples?
Courtney says
Oh I’m sure you probably could!
Chantel says
This looks DELICIOUS! Going to grab some apples from my farmers’ market to makes this! How do you store all of the apple sauce? Do you freeze any of it?
Courtney says
Yes you could totally freeze it! I haven’t made big enough batches where I need to since I eat it pretty quickly… :) But we keep it stored in sealed tupperware containers. Nothing fancy!
Linda Smith says
Is it 1/4cup it teaspoon of brown sugar for the applesauce recipe? It’s not clear in the recipe.
Courtney says
Oh, sorry! It’s 1/4 cup!