Crock Pot Apple Sauce

 

Looking for a delicious, healthy, and super simple way to enjoy apples? This easy applesauce recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. With just four basic ingredients and minimal effort, you'll have a batch of warm, fragrant applesauce that's bursting with flavor.

 

 

Whether you're using it as a snack, a side dish, or a baking ingredient or canning it to enjoy all winter long. Homemade applesauce is a versatile treat that's miles better than store-bought. Plus, it’s completely customizable—sweeten it up or keep it sugar-free, spice it with cinnamon or leave it plain—the choice is yours!

 

 

So, grab your favorite apples or if you are like us my sister has an apple tree that was overflowing with apples, so we got ours for free and let's get cooking! In just a few simple steps, you’ll have a homemade applesauce that’s perfect for any occasion and your house will smell so good while it is cooking!

Here is the simple and delicious recipe we used for our homemade canned apple sauce.

Ingredients:

  • 6 pounds of apples (a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, or Honeycrisp works well)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar or 1/4 cup Stevia (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - adjust to taste (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

 

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Apples:

    • Wash, peel, core, and slice the apples. We have an apple corer that works so well. It peals, spirals and cores the apples for us. It is definitely worth the money.

  2. Cook the Apples:

    • In a crock pot, combine the apple slices, water, sugar and cinnamon (optional). Cover and cook over until the apples are soft, about 2-4 hours depending on what consistency you want. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

  3. Puree the Apples:

    • Use a food mill or an immersion blender to puree the cooked apples to your desired consistency. We prefer the immersion blender because that be used while your apple sauce is still in the crock pot. If you prefer chunky apple sauce, you can mash the apples with a potato masher. Once you have pureed your apple sauce if you find that it is too thick you can always let it cook a little longer in the crock pot to thicken up.

  4. Prepare for Canning:

    • Sterilize your canning jars and lids by boiling them in water for at least 10 minutes. Keep them hot until ready to use. Click on this link for more tips about canning
      • Fill the Jars: Add ½ tablespoon to each pint jar and then carefully ladle the hot apple sauce into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to ensure a good seal. Place the lids on the jars and screw on the bands until fingertip tight
      • Process the Jars: Place the filled jars into the water bath canner. Make sure the jars are covered by at least 1 inch of water. Bring the water to a boil and process the jars for 20 minutes (adjust for altitude if necessary).
      • Cool and Store: Carefully remove the jars from the canner and place them on a towel or cooling rack. Allow them to cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Once cooled, check the seals by pressing the center of each lid – it should not pop back. Store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator and use within a week.

 

 

Your homemade canned apple sauce can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year. Enjoy it on its own, as a topping for pancakes, mixed into yogurt, or however you like!

Happy canning!

 

Items Needed:

Crock pot Apple Butter