Leave the stovetop off and learn how to make slow cooker applesauce instead. It’s easy enough even the kids can make it!
As I set the applesauce on the Thanksgiving table, I could feel the pride swelling deep within me.
I was only about 12 years old, but that little bowl of pureed apples was mine. My own contribution to the family table.
So, it’s no surprise that when my oldest decided she wanted to have an at-home kids’ cooking camp last year, I knew that applesauce would be one of the first recipes to try.
But, at only 5-years-old, she wasn’t quite ready for stirring over a hot stovetop.
Or maybe I wasn’t ready.
Either way, the stovetop wasn’t happening.
The slow cooker, however, was the perfect option. With no burner to worry about, and the added benefit of a long slow steep to let the flavors come together, slow cooker applesauce became our very first cooking camp recipe.
First, Cut and Peel your Apples
We have an all-in-one apple peeler/corer/slicer, which makes this task extra fun for the kids.
Honestly, it cuts the slices thin enough that you don’t necessarily need to cut them any further, but I let our 5-year-old make a couple extra cuts with a paring knife just for the practice.
Next, Add the Ingredients to the Slow Cooker and Give it a Good Stir
All it takes is a little bit of water to get these apples going! We also added a bit of cinnamon and sugar to make it special, but those are totally optional.
Finally, let it Cook
It’s time to let the slow cooker do its magic for several hours. You’ll want to mash up the apples after about three hours to get them to really break down. And then you’ll mash them (or puree them with an immersion blender) one more time once the cooking is done.
You get to choose how smooth or chunky you want your applesauce to be. Awesome, right?
The end result is an applesauce that the whole family can enjoy, and you (or your kids) can have the pride in knowing that you made it yourself.
Slow Cooker Applesauce
Slow Cooker Applesauce
Leave the stovetop off and learn how to make slow cooker applesauce instead. It’s easy enough even the kids can make it!
Ingredients
- 5 Honeycrisp Apples
- 5 Golden Delicious Apples
- 1 Cup Water
- 1/4 Cup sugar, (optional)
- Cinnamon to taste, (optional)
Instructions
- Wash all apples before using.
- Peel, core, and slice apples. If you're doing this by hand, make sure they are no more than about 1/2 inch wide.
- Add the water and sugar, and stir to combine
- Sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Cook in a slow cooker on high heat for 3 hours. Using a potato masher, crush up the apples as much as possible. For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender to blend up the apples.
- Continue cooking on low for 2 hours or until all the apples are soft. Mash or blend up the apples until desired consistency.
- Enjoy served warm or let cool and refrigerate for cold applesauce.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Now It’s Your Turn
You don’t have to wait for Thanksgiving dinner to make this easy slow cooker applesauce recipe. Grab one of your kids and get started today. You’ll have great memories together and a delicious snack to go with it.
Have you ever made slow cooker applesauce?
What’s your favorite recipe to make with your kids?
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Tamara says
How fun! And so New England, because we always have too many apples here, although not this time of year. Somehow they’re still good, though! And I never thought to use the slow cooker, which is odd, because I love it.
I do love cinnamon in anything sweet. I never thought about which types of apples to use, so that helps!
Leslie says
Our cooking camp was in August, so it was a little early for apples, but not too early. We really enjoyed the combination of apples shown above, but you could use any combination you like!
Caryn says
Your photos are beautiful and cooking camp looks like so much fun. I’ve made applesauce, though mostly in the high speed blender.
Leslie says
Cooking camp was a blast. I can’t wait to do it again this year with both girls. Do you have a recipe for making applesauce in the blender? That sounds like it could be interesting.
Jen says
Homemade applesauce is one of my favorite things to make ever! I love it! I love the whole idea of cooking it in your slow cooker. How easy! I think we are planning on doing a cooking camp this summer. This would definitely be a fun recipe to do 🙂
Carol says
I love apple sauce – the chunky, hearty kind. Know I would love this!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Can’t wait for the fall and fresh apples – Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. Hope your week is fantastic.
Marie | DIY Adulation says
This is such an easy way to introduce kiddos to cooking! I love it. Aren’t those apple corer/peelers amazing? I use them when I’m making large batches of apple pie filling and it go sooo much faster than doing it by hand. Thanks for sharing your delicious and easy recipe with us at Merry Monday this week!
Michele Morin says
Imagine waking up to the aroma of applesauce for breakfast!
Donna Reidland says
This really made my mouth water. I love homemade applesauce.
Jann Olson says
The applesauce looks super yummy! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Life Diet Health says
Firstly Leslie, I love the idea of an “at home kids cooking camp” 🙂 We don’t have a slow cooker but I can see how it would make cooking easier with children. I would definitely add cinnamon to my apples – every-time! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday – don’t forget to add the links in for a chance to be featured next Fiesta! 🙂
Dagmar bleasdale says
Dear Leslie, thank you so much for sharing this delicious recipe at my latest link party. I hope to welcome you back soon,
summer regards,
Dagmar
http://www.dagmarbleasdale.com
Amy (Savory Moments) says
I love making applesauce in the slow cooker – we do it each year after our family’s apple picking adventure.
Jess says
My 10 month old is obsessed with applesauce but I always prefer to make her food when I can so this is perfect! Thank you so much for sharing!