Homemade Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe: Autumn’s Sweet Joy

My weekend mornings always feel magical when I whip up this delightful crockpot cinnamon applesauce that fills our kitchen with warm, comforting aromas.

Sweet apples bubbling slowly create an incredible homemade treat everyone adores.

Minimal ingredients come together effortlessly in your slow cooker.

Fragrant spices dance through soft, tender fruit chunks.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen drift back with each delicious spoonful.

Chunky or smooth, this simple recipe adapts perfectly to personal preferences.

We cannot wait for you to experience this delectable autumn-inspired delight.

Get Answers on Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce

• What types of apples work best for this recipe?

Choose sweet-crisp varieties like Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious. These apples break down nicely and provide natural sweetness without requiring extra sugar.

• Can I make this recipe without added sugar?

Yes, ripe and sweet apples naturally contain enough sugar. You can completely omit brown sugar or use a small amount of honey if desired.

• Is this applesauce healthy for kids?

Absolutely! Homemade applesauce contains no preservatives, has pure ingredients, and provides vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. It’s a nutritious snack for children.

• How fine should I chop the apples?

Cut apples into roughly 1-inch chunks. Consistent sizing helps them cook evenly and break down uniformly during the crockpot process.

Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce That Smells Amazing

• Toss ingredients into the crockpot and let it work its magic with zero hands-on cooking time, perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious homemade treats.
• Engage children in preparing apples and watching the transformation from whole fruit to smooth, sweet sauce, creating fun family cooking memories without complex techniques.
• Control sugar levels, avoid preservatives, and enjoy fresh ingredients compared to store-bought versions, ensuring a nutritious snack that tastes significantly better than packaged options.
• Adapt the recipe with different apple varieties, adjust spices to preference, and enjoy as a standalone treat, breakfast accompaniment, or dessert topping throughout fall and winter seasons.

Items Required for Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce

• Granny Smith Apples, Golden Delicious Apples, Honeycrisp Apples: Soft, sweet apples that break down easily and create a smooth sauce. Choose ripe, fresh apples with no bruises or soft spots.

• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness and helps balance apple tartness. Optional ingredient for those who prefer natural sweetness.

• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that provides classic apple pie flavor. Fresh ground cinnamon offers the best taste.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds rich, smooth background flavor and enhances overall sweetness. Pure vanilla extract recommended.

• Water, Apple Juice: Creates moisture for cooking and prevents apples from burning. Apple juice adds extra apple flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apples from browning and adds bright, tangy undertone. Helps preserve color and freshness of applesauce.

How to Slow-Cook Cinnamon Applesauce

Step 1: Prepare the Apples

Select ripe apples and wash them thoroughly. Peel the skin using a vegetable peeler, removing any bruised areas. Cut apples in half, remove the core with a knife or apple corer. Chop the apples into bite-sized chunks, ensuring they are relatively uniform in size for even cooking.

Step 2: Create the Flavor Base

• Chopped apples
• Water or apple juice
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Vanilla extract
• Lemon juice

Pour the liquid into the crockpot, then add the apple chunks. Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, and drizzle vanilla extract and lemon juice over the apples. Gently stir to coat all apple pieces evenly.

Step 3: Slow Cook the Apples

Cover the crockpot with its lid. Set the temperature to low and cook for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir the apples occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The apples will gradually soften and break down, releasing their natural sweetness.

Step 4: Transform into Applesauce

For a rustic, chunky texture, use a potato masher or fork to crush the cooked apples. If you prefer smooth applesauce, use an immersion blender or transfer to a food processor and blend until desired consistency is reached.

Step 5: Store and Enjoy

Allow the applesauce to cool completely at room temperature. Transfer to clean, airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to one week or freeze in freezer-safe containers for three months. Serve chilled as a snack, dessert, or side dish.

Time-Saving Tips for Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce

• Choose the Right Apples: Select a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, and Granny Smith for a balanced, complex flavor profile.
• Control Sweetness Levels: Adjust brown sugar amount based on apple sweetness or swap with honey, maple syrup, or skip sweetener completely for a natural taste.
• Prevent Browning Trick: Add fresh lemon juice to keep apples bright and prevent oxidation during slow cooking process.
• Texture Customization: Use potato masher for chunky applesauce or immersion blender for silky smooth consistency, matching your preference.
• Make It Preserve-Ready: Cool completely before storing in sterilized jars for longer refrigeration or freeze in portion-sized containers for convenient future use.

Best Storage for Cinnamon Applesauce Leftovers

• Store homemade cinnamon applesauce in sealed glass jars or airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Keep containers clean and dry before transferring the sauce.
• Pack cooled applesauce into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, leaving 1/2 inch space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Label containers with date and contents.
• Gently warm applesauce in microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Alternatively, heat slowly in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
• Transfer frozen applesauce to refrigerator overnight for gradual thawing. Stir well after thawing to restore original texture and consistency.

Cinnamon Applesauce Matches Well With These

• Complement the cinnamon-rich applesauce with a spicy, creamy chai tea that echoes the warm flavors and provides a soothing beverage experience.
• Create a delightful breakfast or snack by spreading the homemade applesauce on crispy cinnamon swirl bread, enhancing the existing cinnamon notes and adding textural contrast.
• Transform the applesauce into a simple dessert by topping it with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delicious hot-and-cold sweet treat that balances temperatures and flavors.
• Offer a savory counterpoint by pairing the sweet applesauce with aged cheddar cheese, introducing a tangy and rich element that highlights the applesauce's natural sweetness.

Spice It Up: Applesauce with a Twist

• Sugar-Free Delight: Replace brown sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a diabetic-friendly version that maintains sweetness without added calories.
• Spiced Autumn Blend: Add nutmeg, allspice, and a pinch of cloves to create a warming seasonal variation that enhances the classic cinnamon flavor.
• Vegan Apple Medley: Substitute water with unsweetened apple juice and skip honey or refined sugars to make the recipe completely plant-based and allergen-friendly.
• Keto-Friendly Option: Use low-carb apples like Granny Smith, reduce overall apple quantity, and sweeten with a small amount of erythritol to create a low-carbohydrate alternative suitable for ketogenic diets.

Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe

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4.9 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet, homemade Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce brings warmth to kitchen memories with minimal effort. Fragrant apples slowly simmer into a comforting blend that welcomes autumn’s gentle embrace on your palate.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 medium apples (a mix of sweet and tart, like Honeycrisp & Granny Smith)

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) cinnamon

Additional Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 ml) water or apple juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly cleanse and dissect apples into uniform, bite-sized segments, ensuring complete removal of stems and cores.
2. Transfer chopped apple pieces into the slow cooker vessel, carefully incorporating liquid, sweetener, aromatic spice, flavor enhancer, and citrus brightener.
3. Gently intermingle all ingredients using a wooden spoon to guarantee even coating and distribution of components.
4. Secure the crockpot lid and allow mixture to simmer on low temperature setting, permitting gradual transformation of raw fruit into tender, fragrant compote.
5. Periodically investigate and softly stir contents during cooking process to prevent potential scorching and ensure consistent texture development.
6. Once fruit has completely surrendered its structure and transformed into soft, malleable consistency, determine preferred texture approach.
7. For rustic, textured presentation, utilize a sturdy potato masher to manually break down fruit pieces, maintaining gentle chunks and irregular landscape.
8. Alternatively, for silky, uniform consistency, employ an immersion blender or food processor to puree mixture into smooth, luxurious sauce.
9. Allow prepared applesauce to cool to ambient temperature, preventing condensation within storage containers.
10. Transfer finished creation into sealed glass or plastic containers, refrigerating for immediate consumption or freezing for extended preservation.

Notes

• Choose apples with balanced sweetness and tartness like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith for the most flavorful homemade applesauce.
• Skip peeling the apples to retain extra nutrients and fiber, just ensure thorough washing and remove any bruised areas.
• Customize sweetness by adjusting brown sugar or using alternative natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey for different dietary needs.
• Experiment with spice variations by adding nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger alongside cinnamon to create unique flavor profiles that complement the apples.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 465
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 770 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg