Slow-Cooker Apple Sauce

Are you Team Apple or Team Pumpkin Spice this time of year? If you are Team Apple (like me!) I have a super simple, wholesome Slow-Cooker Apple Sauce recipe to share with you.

This recipe is not my own, but my mother-in-law’s. She cooks this applesauce regularly for my kiddos, especially during the Fall when apples are a plenty. It was originally inspired by a recipe in a 1970’s Crock Pot cookbook, however, she reduced the sugar by half. It lends a more naturally-sweet flavor, enhanced by a hint of cinnamon. Also, because the apples are slow-cooked all day, the apple sauce tastes caramelized. It’s delicious, wholesome, and tastes like Fall.

The type of apples you use to make this Slow-Cooker Apple Sauce is important. I actually had to make this recipe twice before I got my kids’ approval, and before I was ready to post on this page. The first time I made this recipe, I used a variety of apples I already had on hand, including a couple of Granny Smith. While Granny Smiths are perfect for an apple pie (because they are tart and hold their shape) they are not conducive for this apple sauce recipe. I recommend using sweet red apples like Gala, Fuji, and Honey Crisp apples. Choosing the right apples makes a tremendous difference to the flavor and texture. Sweet apples blend well, as they tend to break down and soften when cooked.

Peel and dice about 12-15 medium-sized apples, enough to fill the crock to the brim. Add a half cup of water, a 1/4 cup of sugar, and a teaspoon of cinnamon. The Crock Pot will do the hard work for you. Cook on low for 4-6 hours until apples are tender. You can use an immersion blender (recommended) or allow apples to cool before transferring to a stand-up blender. Pulse intermittently until you reach your your desired texture. My kids like the apple sauce smooth, so I blend it well. See recipe below.