How to Make Applesauce in a Slow Cooker

Applesauce is surprisingly easy to make - and the slow cooker makes it even easier. Just set it, walk away for 2 hours and come back to delicious homemade applesauce! This unsweetened applesauce recipe works great as a substitute for oil or butter in baking. (In general, you can replace up to 1/2 of the oil or butter with this unsweetened applesauce.)

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• slow cooker
• 5-6 large apples (I like to use McIntosh and/or Cortland)
• 1/2 c. water
• 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• hand mixer (optional)

1. Peel and core the apples.

2. Cut the apples into large slices or chunks. (No need to get fancy here. Rough chopping is fine.)

3. Put the cut apples into the crock of your slow cooker.

4. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp. cinnamon over the apples.

5. Mix 1/2 c. water and 1 tsp. vanilla extract, then pour the mixture over the apples.

6. Stir the apples to distribute the water, vanilla and cinnamon evenly.

7. Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for about 2 hours, until apples are mushy when stirred.

8. If desired, beat apples with a hand mixer until smooth.

Tips & Warnings

• If you like chunky applesauce - no need to beat at the end.
• If you like smooth applesauce but don't have a hand mixer, you can also use a blender.
• If you use tart apples, such as a Granny Smiths, or you want a sweeter applesauce, add a little sugar in with the cinnamon. (Try just a few teaspoons at first - you can always add more at the end, but you can't take it out!)