A while back, I went to an apple orchard with my family.  I came back with a whole bushel of apples, which is way more than two people can eat because they start to go bad.  There are so many things that you can do with apples, like pies, crumbles, apple butter, baked apples, apple donuts, the list goes on and on.  While those are all fine and dandy one of my favorite, and easiest, ways to use up apples is to make applesauce.  There are many ways that you can make applesauce, but I find the simplest way is to make it in my slow cooker.  I can barely call this a “recipe” as it really doesn’t take much to make, but here is how I make my applesauce!

Slow Cooker Applesauce 

• 2 to 3 pounds of apples (really as many as your crockpot can hold)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 to 4 sticks of cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• water

 

1. Wash and cut your apples into slices, making sure you get rid of the core and seeds.  You can peel your apples, but I like to keep the skin on for extra fiber

2. Place apples in your slow cooker and add in lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg.  Add in 1/2 to 3/4 cups water depending on how many apples you have.  You don’t want to cover the apples with water, just enough to add a little bit of steam while cooking.

3.  Cover and cook the apples on low for about 6 hours.  Remove cinnamon sticks and either using a hand blender (the easiest way) or blender/food processor, blend the apples to desired consistency.  I like them smooth but you can leave in a few chunks if you like.

4.  Let the applesauce cool completely and then move to a mason jar or other container and store in the fridge.

 

I like to use my applesauce to make baked goods like muffins, bread, or cookies.  It also is a great topping for pork chops or even as a delicious and quick snack!  Now go and cook up those apples!