If you live in the PNW, you likely have noticed the beginnings of fall begin to creep in. The mornings are crisper, the sun sets earlier, the rain is commencing and if you have an apple tree in your yard you have apples aplenty. We have two fully mature apple trees and so we have more apples than we can possibly do anything with. Ranked just below giving them to friends and family (we always get a taste of the goody they transformed into) and just above using them as toys for the puppy is transforming them into applesauce via the magical crockpot.
I’m certain most people have a favorite crock-pot applesauce recipe that the depend upon; however, I recently discovered my go-to. Other recipes I had tried were too sweet, too spicy, to chunky, too smooth. This one is jussssstttt right. It really allows the sweetness of the apples to shine and the use of cinnamon sticks rather than ground cinnamon truly elevate the flavor by adding an under-note of spice. Plus the house smells amazing while it’s cookin’.
While I am a bit sad about the end of summer but the lining is oh-so-sweet. Fall means friday night football, pumpkin cream cheese muffins, and all the things apple. I hope you enjoy this applesauce as much as we do!
To begin, gather all your goodness. I used 10-12 medium sized apples from our yard, 3 cinnamon sticks, and the juice from one lemon. With the addition of a bit of water and the smallest amount of salt, that’s all you need to create this delicious concoction!
- 10-12 medium sized apples, any variety
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup water
- large pinch of salt
- Peel and chop the apples. We have a fantastic tool that peels, cores, and spiralizes the apple in one swift step. I highly recommend investing in such a gadget but a vegetable peeler and knife will do just fine as well.
- Combine the ingredients in the crock pot.
- Allow the applesauce to cook on high for four hours. I typically stir it quickly around hours two and three.
- The applesauce will keep for about five days in the fridge or three months in the freezer (if it lasts that long! Ours is typically gone by the next evening but perhaps your household has more self control that ours does.)
- Enjoy!! 🙂
Yummy!! Bring some on your next visit please