Crockpot Homemade Applesauce

By the time September hits, I have had more than my fill of summer, and I am ushering in the fall season.  The fall decorations come out, pumpkin lattes become all too often indulgence, I anxiously await the changing leaves, and the fall recipes make their yearly appearance.

I love fall recipes, and this applesauce is no exception!  If you have never made homemade applesauce, it is a must this year.  The taste exceeds the store bought variety by a mile.

The great thing about homemade applesauce is that you can enjoy it all year long; it doesn’t have to be just a “fall recipe”.  Every fall I buy about 20-30 pounds of apples and feed the freezer.  I take one day to peel, cook, and package up the yummy stuff in freezer bags, and we enjoy it all year!

3 pound bag of apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)

2-3 tablespoons brown sugar (or other sweetener)

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup water

Place your apple slices in the bottom of a Crockpot.  (If you don’t have a Crockpot, you can make it on the stove.) Top with brown sugar and cinnamon.  Add the water. (I always just make sure to add enough water to cover the bottom of the Crockpot.)    Cook the applesauce on low for 4-6 hours or until apples are tender.  Once the apples are tender, mash them with a potato masher for a chunkier consistency.  For a smoother consistency, mix in blender.

This is more an idea, than an exact recipe you need to stick to.  I try to keep mine pretty low in sugar, but if you like yours sweeter add some more.  Sometimes I add a handful of frozen berries to add some color and lend a slightly different flavor.  Get creative!

I just package mine in quart sized freezer bags.   Thaw and enjoy!

Katie blogs at The Cutting Back Kitchen.  Her passion is helping women serve up big flavors on a bland budget.  There you will read all about her newest recipes, couponing adventures, freezer cooking frenzies, and really…everything that is kitchen related!