• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Leftovers
  • Christmas
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Dinners
    • Desserts
  • Subscribe

Bake It With Love

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Leftovers
  • Christmas
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Dinners
    • Desserts
  • Subscribe
  • Join Us!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Leftovers
    • Christmas
    • About
    • Recipes
      • Dinners
      • Desserts
    • Subscribe
  • Join Us!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Last Updated: Sep 16, 2021 by Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · Leave a Comment

    Crock Pot Applesauce

    Share This Recipe!

    • Share
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe
    Tall pin with 2 images of the homemade crock pot applesauce in jars.

    This incredibly easy-to-make Crock Pot Applesauce combines apples with only a few ingredients for the best ever homemade applesauce! All you need is your crockpot, some apples, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon plus a few spare minutes for washing and slicing your apples (because peeling is totally optional)!

    Canned crockpot applesauce for easy storing.
    Quite simply the best, hands-free, homemade applesauce is made with the convenience of your crockpot!

    Incredibly Easy Homemade Crockpot Applesauce

    Homemade applesauce is SO much better than any kind you might find in a jar at the grocery store and my crockpot recipe makes it incredibly simple! The best part about making applesauce yourself is that will never have to throw away those apples that don’t get eaten.

    Slightly older and bruised apples are perfect for this recipe and because the ingredients are so simple, you will probably have everything on hand! You know, like those old apples buried in the back of the refrigerator. 🙂

    Jump to:
    • Incredibly Easy Homemade Crockpot Applesauce
    • What You'll Need
    • How to Make Applesauce in Your Slow Cooker
    • Storing Your Homemade Applesauce
    • Freezing Homemade Applesauce
    • 📖 Recipe Card
    • 💬 Reviews

    Plus, crockpot applesauce is a great low-calorie, low sugar treat any time of year! My family loves to eat this applesauce warm, right out of the pot, sometimes throwing some extra cinnamon on top. And I definitely don't feel bad about letting everyone enjoy some!

    Besides that, if you love baking as much as I do you know that applesauce can add moisture to your baked goods. When I'm going for a healthier baked treat, I like to sub the applesauce in to reduce sugar too!

    What You'll Need

    This simple 5-ingredient recipe comes together so easily it's practically effortless! For a fun change, try swapping out the cinnamon sticks with apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice. Both can be added at the end to taste as well (in addition to the cinnamon sticks)!

    • Apples – Absolutely ANY kind of apple works, but the softer varieties like Golden Delicious, Fuji, or McIntosh will break down a bit faster. You can read more about the very best apples for applesauce ( and more uses ) here!
    • Brown sugar – You can use light brown sugar, dark brown sugar for a more robust flavor, or even substitute white sugar if it’s all you have.
    • Cinnamon sticks – Ground cinnamon is a fine substitute, but it is more potent. Use ½ teaspoon for each cinnamon stick ( or one teaspoon total in this case ).
    • Water - You'll need a touch of water to keep your applesauce from burning. If the liquid in your applesauce cooks down too much, you can add a drizzle more water as you go.
    • Lemon juice – Helps preserve the natural color of the apples. Use the juice and zest from an actual lemon, or use the bottled lemon juice if you are missing fresh lemons.

    *To make Quince Applesauce, use a balance of ¼ quince fruit and ¾ apples.
    **To make Pear Applesauce, use an even 50/50 blend of pears and apples.

    How to Make Applesauce in Your Slow Cooker

    I know, I know, I start out with saying to wash the apples but I suppose if you're peeling them that may be an extra and unnecessary step?! Either way, get a cutting board out along with a good paring knife, your zester, and a hand juicer. Your crock pot applesauce will be under way in no time!

    5 step-by-step process photos of preparing the crockpot applesauce.
    1. Wash the apples well, core, and then peel your apples if desired. FUN FACT!!! Peeling your apples is optional- but if you leave the peels on, the fiber in them will help slow down your body’s absorption of the natural sugars, reducing the glycemic load! It will also save time!
    2. Cut the apples into slices or chunks, keeping the pieces roughly the same size.
    3. Add the apples to the crockpot, along with brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, water, and lemon juice.
    4. Cover the pot with the lid and cook on high for 3 - 4 hours.
    5. When the apples are fully broken down, use a fork or a whisk to stir to desired consistency. An immersion blender would also do the trick if you like your applesauce super smooth!

    Serve your applesauce warm or chilled, with an extra pinch of cinnamon on top! Better yet, save a bit to use in some delicious baking like my super moist carrot cake or these tasty protein powder chocolate banana muffins!

    Can I Make This on the Stovetop?

    Yes, follow along with the directions but place your apple chunks into a saucepan or stockpot that your apples fit into easily. Cook for approximately 20 minutes at medium heat.

    Homemade crock pot applesauce in jars with cinnamon sticks.

    Storing Your Homemade Applesauce

    Once your crock pot applesauce is fully cooled, transfer it into airtight storage containers. The homemade applesauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. It is important to note that once the sealed container has been opened the applesauce is good for 3 - 4 days. *This is true of freezer containers once thawed, and it is true for applesauce that has been canned.

    Properly sealed canned applesauce is best stored in a cool dark place. Applesauce will last up to a year when canned and stored properly (and still sealed). Throw a bow around the jars for a great fall gift!

    Freezing Homemade Applesauce

    To freeze your applesauce, it is important to choose the correct container. Applesauce can be frozen in many containers including plastic freezer containers, plastic freezer storage bags, an ice cube tray (great for baby food - once frozen transfer to an appropriate container), or glass jars.

    Your glass jars should be designed for freezing! This includes most canning jars and jars made of tempered glass. Make sure that the shape of the jars is best suited for freezing as well. You want straight-neck jars as anything with a tapered neck is more prone to breaking.

    Leave room for expansion during freezing when preparing your canned applesauce. You will need at least a ½-inch of clearance between the top of the applesauce and the lid. The crockpot applesauce will stay fresh for up to a year when frozen.

    📖 Recipe Card

    Canned crockpot applesauce for easy storing.
    Print Recipe Leave A Comment
    Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
    5 from 35 reviews

    Crock Pot Applesauce

    This incredibly easy-to-make Crock Pot Applesauce combines apples with only a few ingredients for the best ever homemade applesauce! All you need is your crockpot, some apples, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon plus a few spare minutes for washing and slicing your apples (because peeling is totally optional)!
    Author | Angela
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 166kcal
    Prep 10 minutes minutes
    Cooking 4 hours hours
    Total Time 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

    Ingredients
     

    • 6 lbs apples (roughly 12 apples cored - peeling optional - sliced or chunked)
    • ⅔ cup brown sugar
    • 2 cinnamon sticks
    • 1 cup water
    • 2 tablespoon lemon juice (or zest and juice of 1 lemon)
    Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

    Instructions

    • Wash, peel, and core your apples. Slice or chunk the apples up, either way will work as long as the pieces are relatively uniform in size. *Peeling is optional!
    • Add the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, water, and lemon juice plus the optional lemon zest to your crock pot.
    • Place the lid on your crock pot and cook on high for 3-4 hours.
    • When the time is up use a wire whisk and stir to desired consistency. (Or for ultra smooth applesauce use an immersion blender.)
    • Serve warm if desired or allow to cool and refrigerate for up to 10 days. Or freeze for later!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 166kcal (8%) | Carbohydrates: 44g (15%) | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 1g (2%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 264mg (8%) | Fiber: 6g (25%) | Sugar: 35g (39%) | Vitamin A: 124IU (2%) | Vitamin C: 11mg (13%) | Calcium: 30mg (3%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
    apple recipes, Crockpot Applesauce, slow cooker
    Course Condiments, Dessert, Fruit Desserts
    Cuisine American
    author profile photo
    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

    Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

    bakeitwithlove.com/about/

    More Desserts

    • Square split image showing different recipe ideas for a budget friendly Christmas dinner.
      Budget Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas
    • Square image of chocolate chip cookie pie.
      Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
    • Square image of apple snickerdoodle dump cake with ice cream.
      Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake
    • Square image of slice of sour cream coffee cake on a white plate.
      Sour Cream Coffee Cake

    Share This Recipe!

    • Share
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    Author bio photo with cake.

    Hi there, I'm Angela! I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

    Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

    More about me →

    Best Leftover Ideas!

    • Square image showing different leftover steak recipes.
      Leftover Steak Recipes
    • Square split image showing different Thanksgiving leftover recipe ideas.
      Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
    • Square split image showing different recipes to make with leftover roast beef.
      Leftover Roast Beef Recipes
    • Square image of leftover ham stroganoff.
      Ham Stroganoff
    • Square image of holiday ham casserole.
      Holiday Ham Casserole
    • Square image of baked scotch eggs.
      Baked Scotch Eggs
    • Square image of meatloaf on a white serving platter.
      How To Reheat Meatloaf
    • Square image of pork tacos.
      Pork Tacos

    Christmas Is Coming!

    • Square split image showing different Christmas Prime rib dinner menu ideas.
      Christmas Prime Rib Dinner Menu
    • Square split image showing different Christmas make ahead appetizers you can make.
      Make Ahead Christmas Appetizers
    • Square split image showing different recipes that go with with your Christmas ham.
      Christmas Ham Dinner Menu
    • Square image showing melting snowman sugar cookies with some hot cocoa.
      Melting Snowman Sugar Cookies
    • Square image of crockpot scalloped potatoes on a plate.
      Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes
    • Square image of sliced baked holiday ham.
      Baked Holiday Ham
    • How to score a ham like this holiday baked ham sliced and served on a wooden cutting board with cloves in the diamond pattern on the ham.
      How To Score Ham
    • Best pecan sandies cookie recipe that bakes up perfectly tender with roasted crushed pecans in a shortbread cookie.
      Pecan Sandies
    As Seen On block with logos from the companies Angela has worked with including Mashed, Vice Munchies, Lake Country Journal, Delish, Yummly, and more.

    DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Angela
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Home
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Subscribe

    Recipes

    • Dinners
    • Desserts
    • Side Dishes
    • Breakfasts
    • Appetizers
    • Condiments
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
    • Instant Pot
    • Casseroles
    • Cookies & Bars
    • Holidays

    Read

    • Collections
    • What To Serve With
    • Baking Basics
    • Conversions
    • Oven Conversions
    • Food That Starts With
    • Substitutions
    • Freezing
    • Reheating
    • Food Info
    • Web Stories

    Copyright © 2023 Bake It With Love