Rustic Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce: Sweet Autumn Comfort (Print Version)

Enjoy homemade Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce! Sweet, spiced, and a comforting kitchen aroma. So easy!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 Hours minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Orchard Picks

01 - Apples (6-8 lbs, a mix of sweet and tart like Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith)

→ Liquid & Brightness

02 - Water (1/2 cup)
03 - Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon, fresh is best)

→ Spice & Sweetness

04 - Ground Cinnamon (1-2 tablespoons, to taste)
05 - Light Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup (1/4 to 1/2 cup, optional, to taste)
06 - Pinch of Salt

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, grab those apples! I usually set up a little assembly line on my counter. Peel them, core them, and then chop them into roughly 1-inch pieces. Don't worry too much about perfection here; they're all going to break down anyway. Honestly, this is the most "work" involved, and sometimes I rope a kid into helping. Just make sure to get rid of any bruised bits; we want fresh, happy applesauce!
02 - Toss all those lovely apple chunks into your crockpot. Add the water, cinnamon, lemon juice, and that tiny pinch of salt. If you're using sugar or maple syrup, now's the time to drizzle it in. Give everything a good stir with a big spoon until the apples are nicely coated. I love how the cinnamon dusts everything, promising that warm, spiced goodness to come.
03 - Cover your crockpot and set it to LOW for 4-6 hours, or HIGH for 2-3 hours. The beauty of the crockpot is you really can't mess this up too badly. You're looking for the apples to be super tender, almost falling apart. Your kitchen will start to smell absolutely incredible, like a cozy autumn day. That's your cue that magic is happening!
04 - Once the apples are fork-tender, turn off the heat. Now for the fun part! Grab a potato masher, a fork, or even an immersion blender if you like it super smooth. Mash the apples to your desired consistency. I like mine a bit chunky, so I just use a masher. Taste it! This is where you adjust. Need more cinnamon? A little more sweetness? Go for it! This is your Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce, after all.
05 - Let your delicious applesauce cool down a bit in the crockpot before transferring it. It will thicken up a little as it cools, so don't fret if it seems a touch watery right after mashing. I usually let it sit for an hour or so, just enjoying the lingering aroma, before I move it to jars or containers. It’s hard to resist a spoonful straight from the pot, though!
06 - Once cooled, your homemade Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce is ready to shine! It’s fantastic warm or cold. Spoon it into bowls, serve it alongside pork chops, or mix it into your morning oatmeal. The texture should be soft, yielding, and bursting with apple and cinnamon flavor. It smells like pure comfort, a truly satisfying result from such simple ingredients and minimal effort.

# Notes:

01 - A good mix of sweet and tart apples makes all the difference, trust me on this one!
02 - For longer storage, freeze it in individual portions; it thaws beautifully for quick snacks.
03 - If you like it super smooth, an immersion blender is your best friend after cooking.
04 - Serve it warm with a dollop of Greek yogurt for a simple, comforting breakfast.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Crockpot (slow cooker)
02 - vegetable peeler
03 - knife
04 - cutting board
05 - large spoon/masher

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 100 kcal
Total Fat: 0.5 g
Total Carbohydrate: 25 g
Protein: 0.5 g

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