Slow Cooker Applesauce

Three bowls of slow cooker cinnamon applesauce that range from chunky to smooth.

Grab your slow cooker and a whole mess of apples. It's time to make some amazing brown sugar cinnamon applesauce that you can freeze and enjoy all year long! Tips for making smooth or chunky applesauce are included.

4.6 from 9 votes

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Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 6

Total Time: 6 15

Servings: 14 servings

Calories: 124kcal

Ingredients

16 sweet tart apples (about 5-6 lbs (see note))
4 whole cinnamon sticks (or 1-3 teaspoons ground cinnamon, to taste)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar (or more to taste)
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Instructions

Peel, core, and slice the apples.
Stack the apples in a large slow cooker (at least 6 quarts!). Shove cinnamon sticks throughout the apples, then spread brown sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice on top.Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 7-8 hours. The apples should be cooked down and breaking apart. It helps if you can stir it once or twice, but you don't have to.
Use a potato smasher to mash the apples for a chunky consistency or an immersion blender to puree apples to a smooth consistency. If the apples don't easily mash or blend, they need to be cooked longer.
Taste the apples. Depending on how sweet the apples are and your own tastes, you may want to stir in additional sugar.
Turn off the crock pot, allow to cool to warm or room temperature, then store applesauce in sealed containers in the fridge for 7-10 days.

Notes

I used a mix of Jonagold, Sugar Bee, Gala, and Pink Lady apples. See the post above for a full list of recommended apples. A mix of sweet and tart apples is always a good choice!
If you love a spiced applesauce, consider adding some ground ginger or cardamom as well.
Brown sugar can be substituted for granulated sugar if you prefer.
To freeze applesauce, place it in freezer safe containers or bags with at least 1/2 inch headroom. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight, then stir well before serving.

Equipment

Cuisinart Immersion Blender

Potato Masher

Hamilton Beach Stay or Go Slow Cooker 6-Quart

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword crock pot applesauce, slow cooker applesauce

Nutrition