Homemade applesauce is a great, easy fall treat. It has been unseasonably cold here, we didn't have much of a summer and it looks like we're not going to have much fall either. So warm applesauce is especially appealing right now. I put the ingredients in the crockpot in the morning and lovely warm applesauce greeted the kids after their cold walk home from school in the afternoon.
The key to good applesauce, just like good cider, is to use a variety of apples. Try to use at least 3 kinds. I like to mix gala, fuji, golden delicious, gingergold, Mcintosh and granny smith.
I normally don't use sugar in my applesauce, but I did this time since I included a large number of granny smith apples that needed using up. Granny smith apples are just a little too tart for my liking. If you use a lot of tart apples, you can sweeten your sauce with sugar, honey or agave nectar to taste. We like our applesauce chunky, but if you like yours perfectly smooth you can run it through the food processor.
Crockpot Applesauce
10-12 apples of various varieties, peeled and chopped
1/2 c. apple cider or water
1/4 c. raw sugar (optional)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Place apples and cider or water in crockpot and cook on low about 6-8 hours. Add cinnamon, sugar or other sweetener to taste, serve warm or chill.
