Description
Homemade crockpot cinnamon applesauce brings warmth and comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Sweet apples mingle with fragrant spices, creating a simple dessert that delights families and warms hearts with each comforting spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits:
- 8 medium apples (a mix of sweet and tart, like Honeycrisp & Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and chopped
Sweeteners and Flavoring:
- ⅔ tablespoons (2.67 tablespoons / 40 milliliters) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) vanilla extract
Liquid Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) water or apple juice
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
Instructions
- Carefully select ripe, firm apples, ensuring a mix of sweet and tart varieties for optimal flavor complexity.
- Meticulously peel each apple, removing the skin entirely to create a smooth texture, then systematically core and dice into uniform chunks.
- Transfer the prepared apple pieces into the crockpot, creating an even layer at the bottom of the vessel.
- Drizzle fresh apple juice or water over the fruit to prevent sticking and provide necessary moisture for the cooking process.
- Sprinkle ground cinnamon generously across the apples, creating a warm and aromatic base for the sauce.
- Introduce a touch of brown sugar to enhance natural sweetness, gently stirring to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Add a splash of vanilla extract and a hint of lemon juice to brighten the flavor profile and prevent apple oxidation.
- Secure the crockpot lid and set the temperature to low, allowing the apples to gently simmer and break down over 6-8 hours.
- Periodically stir the mixture to ensure even cooking and prevent potential scorching at the bottom.
- Once the apples have transformed into a soft, tender consistency, decide on the desired texture – rustic and chunky or silky smooth.
- For a rustic version, use a potato masher to create a textured sauce with visible apple pieces.
- For a smoother consistency, utilize an immersion blender or food processor to puree the mixture into a velvety sauce.
- Allow the applesauce to cool completely at room temperature, then transfer to clean, airtight containers.
- Refrigerate for up to one week or freeze for extended preservation, ensuring a delightful homemade treat is always within reach.
Notes
- Choose sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best flavor balance and natural sweetness.
- Adjust sugar based on apple variety; ripe, sweeter apples might need less added sweetener.
- Skip peeling for extra nutrition and rustic texture, just wash apples thoroughly and blend for smoother consistency.
- Customize spices by adding nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger for unique flavor profiles.
- Reduce cooking time to 4-5 hours for firmer apple chunks if you prefer more texture.
- Transform sauce into a healthy dessert topping by stirring in chopped nuts or serving over yogurt.
- Opt for unsweetened version by eliminating brown sugar for diabetic-friendly or low-sugar diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg