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I grew up in Washington State, so apples were a big deal!
After getting married, my hubby and I even planted several apple trees in our back yard!
When I was visiting my friend Sonja up in Washington this summer, she shared how easy it was to make applesauce in the crockpot!
I played around with it, and here’s what I came up with… give it a try for a fun & tasty fall treat!
What You’ll Need…
- 6 medium apples {I love Gala apples!}
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1 tsp. – 1 tbsp. Cinnamon {I love cinnamon, so I use 1 tbsp.}
- 1 tsp. Sugar {this can be adjusted based upon the sweetness of the apples you use}
- 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
What You’ll Do…
- Peel and core apples.
- Chop up into chunky pieces.
- Place apples in crockpot.
- In separate bowl, combine water, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla.
- Pour mixture over apples in crockpot, and stir around, so apples are evenly coated.
- Cover crockpot, and cook on low for 4 hours, or until soft.
- Once apples are soft, remove from crockpot and mash with a hand masher.
- This will make a chunky {and oh-so-yummy} style applesauce.
- For creamier applesauce, mix with a hand mixer.
- Enjoy!!
Now, I’ve got a little secret for you ~ my uncle and aunt live up in Washington, and own a real live apple orchard! {it’s beautiful!}
So… I checked with my aunt about storing applesauce, and here’s what she said:
- In the Fridge: It can be stored 4 to 5 days.
- In the Freezer: Store for several months ~ it will be just fine!
My boys and hubby gobbled this up, so you may even consider doubling the recipe!
If you’ve got leftovers, just store in the fridge or freezer!
See Also:
- Crockpot Cranberry Chicken Recipe
- Crockpot Apple Cider Recipe
- Crockpot Kickoff Meatballs
- More Tasty Recipes from my Kitchen!
You can also make apple butter in the crockpot! Take your applesauce, add some extra spices (my grandmother liked to add those little red cinnamon candies), then prop the lid open using chopsticks or wooden spoons laid across the top. Cook until it’s super thick and you have apple butter.
I did thise with peaches this summer too.
i am going to try this recipe today. I love baking. i have always loved homemade applesauce ever since i was being baby sat. When i came upon this site i was so happy. I love all the fun crafts and yummy recipes
What do you use to store this in? Can I use freezer storage bags?
Hi Lisa ~ yes… you can store in freezer storage bags or freezer-safe canning jars.
Or for smaller portions, you could even use little jars similar to the ones I used when making freezer jam:
http://thefrugalgirls.com/2010/05/easy-freezer-jam-recipe.html
Hope that helps!
~ Heidi
Can you use 1/2 Splenda and 1/2 sugar? Can you use the Brown Sugar Splena Mix? Does one have add anything extra to make it thick?
Can’t wait to try this. I am not working and I will be giving this as gifts.
Candace
Yay! I making a batch right now- can’t wait to taste it! Thank you!
That sounds great!
I made apple butter a couple of weekends ago in the crock pot. It was my first time. It was unbelievable. The smell in the house was amazing. The recipe I used made five medium jars full. We canned four of the jars. We have already popped open one of the canned jars. I guess it won’t last as long as I thought.
It will be fun to make again. It is super easy and the smell is better than any fragrance on the market.
Oh this sounds great! Sheryl and Katie, would love your recipes for apple butter!! Time for yummy fall recipes that taste great and make the house smell great too!!!
I’m ready to make apple sauce or apple pie as well. Could someone post their recipe for a delicious butter apple sauce? Thanks
Thanks for posting this! I was just going to look up some receipes for crockpot applesauce. My oldest daughter was asking me if she could make some!
I make mine in the crockpot also using gala…I just cook 6 apples chopped on low with nothing else. I stir every couple of hours. Towards the end I add cinnamon. No added calories and outstanding and sweet applesauce, I wouldn’t have believed that this worked but I’ve made it 4 or 5 times now and it is amazing!
I’m making applesauce in my crockpot right now. Is it safe to can the applesauce I make in the crockpot? In the past I would always freeze it, but I’d like to save some freezer space and can it instead.
Also, a tip for those who prefer organic applesauce(like we do at our house). I’ve realized that when organic apples are on sale at the grocery store (at least where I live) it’s often b/c they’re about to turn and go bad. Many times I’ve had to (sadly) toss my newly bought organic apples in the compost bin b/c they were rotting before we had a chance to eat them fresh. I finally realized these are PERFECT for making organic applesauce. Organic applesauce is so expensive (usually about $4-5 per jar in the WI area) and making it homemade with the about-to-go-bad, but still good sale apples is a cheap way to get organic applesauce (a must-have in a household with children!).
I also recommend investing $15-20 & buying an apple peeler corer slicer like this one . They make the prep work a sinch and are also great for potatoes. I’m not usually a fan of uni-taskers (kitchen tools that are for only one or two tasks), but this tool saves a TON of time when making applesauce, prepping apples for pies and other desserts or potato dishes that requires peeling and slicing.
You’re right, I had NO idea how much I would regret selling my apple peeler/corer/slicer. I’m a fool! And thanks for the organic apple tip, organic is so expensive and I’ve had the same experiences!
I made a version of your applesauce a while back and wrote about it here. NUMMY! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
OMG this was the best you can e-mail direct with any other great stuff to make in the crockpot my husband loved this . THANKS SO MUCH
I just made this today and my girls & I LOVE it!! Well be making it again! Thanks for sharing!!
You’re very welcome, Shannon ~ I’m so glad you liked it!
~ Heidi
I peel my apples, but I put the peels in the crockpot too. The flavor is awesome and I just pull them out before I mash… so yummy!
You can wash your apples and then cut them up- skins, seeds, everything and cook them in a pot for applesauce. When they are finished cooking, just throw them into a Foley Food mill and turn the grinder. Out comes great applesauce and you don’t waste anything. Every kitchen should have a Foley Food Mill!
Cores and seeds contain arsenic….but apparently this works for you & no one has gotten sick….
I think I will make both,,crockpot applesauce and apple butter and can it
Do you think it would mash ok in a food processor? Or is a hand mixer better?
Can you make this with Golden Delicious Apples and can I keep the peels on?
Thank you
I am attempting to make this in my crockpot this morning.