If you want a simple, easy recipe that makes your home smell like fall, this is the one. I like to imagine that if I were in the sixth year potions class at Hogwarts and Professor Slughorn asked me what smells I got from the Love Potion that this delicious applesauce would be one of them. It is like a crisp fall evening right in your crockpot. All of the Pumpkin Spice haters should give this alternative fall classic a shot!
This is one of the standby recipes I do with my daughter. She actually will periodically ask to make it. Anything that she initiates, I jump on! She can peel, chop and wash the apples (she is 4), but younger children can also participate. If you own a child-safe knife (we actually used plastic peanut butter spreaders) children as young as 18 months can chop the apples, put them in a colander, wash them and help pour them into the crockpot.
Another selling point for applesauce is the fact that it is an egg substitution in baking. If you want to bake a different recipe, but don’t happen to have the egg(s) you need just substitute with 1/2 cups of applesauce and you’re good to go!
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
4-6 hours
Serves
6
Ingredients
- 6 apples, chopped (peeling is optional)
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Steps
1
Peel the apples if you do not wish to have peels in your finished applesauce. Cut the core out of each apple and discard it. Chop the apples and wash the pieces.
2
Pour chopped apples into your crockpot base. Add water and lemon juice. Cover and set on low for 4-6 hours.
3
After the apples have cooked for 2 hours, stir them and mash them with a potato masher. Not all of the apples will mash at this point. Allow the apples to cook fully.
4
Once fully cooked, mash your apples into your desired texture. If you did not peel the apples to start you have 2 options: leave the large peel chunks in the applesauce for texture or blend the applesauce in a blender until smooth.
5
Add cinnamon if desired. Can be served warm or cool. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days or can it and store in a dark, cool place for up to 1 month.
Please let me know if you enjoyed this recipe, what you made and if you were brave enough to cook with your children. I hope it brought joy to your home like it does mine.