Smooth Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe

Dreamy Smooth Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe For Fall Days

Autumn’s crisp breeze carries the warmth of homemade cinnamon applesauce wafting through kitchens.

Sweet and comforting, this slow cooker cinnamon applesauce blends soft, ripe apples with fragrant spices.

Each spoonful promises a taste of seasonal nostalgia that connects us to cherished memories.

The crockpot method ensures tender, caramelized apples melt into a silky smooth texture.

Minimal effort yields maximum flavor with this simple, wholesome recipe.

Cinnamon adds depth and warmth, transforming ordinary apples into an extraordinary treat.

Serve this delightful sauce warm or chilled, and watch as it becomes an instant family favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 80 kcal

Servings: 9

Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce – Ingredient Rundown

For Fruit Base:
  • Apples: Choose sweet-crisp varieties like Gala or Fuji for natural sweetness, aiming for ripe but firm fruits without bruises or soft spots.
  • Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds bright tangy undertone, balancing overall flavor profile.
For Sweetening and Spicing:
  • Brown Sugar: Introduces deep caramel-like warmth, enhancing natural apple sweetness with rich molasses notes.
  • Cinnamon: Provides warm, comforting spice that complements apple's natural flavor, creating classic homestyle essence.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle depth and rounds out flavor complexity, bringing smooth aromatic undertones.
For Liquid and Moisture:
  • Water or Apple Juice: Creates steaming environment, helping apples break down smoothly and preventing burning while maintaining desired consistency.

Tools That Help You Cook Applesauce Low and Slow

  • Crockpot: Essential for slow-cooking and creating tender, flavorful applesauce.
  • Knife: Sharp tool for peeling and chopping apples into even chunks.
  • Cutting board: Sturdy surface for safely preparing apples.
  • Potato masher or fork: Perfect for creating chunky applesauce texture.
  • Immersion blender or food processor: Optional for those wanting ultra-smooth consistency.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Helps accurately add ingredients.
  • Airtight containers: Necessary for storing finished applesauce.

How to Make Cinnamon Applesauce in a Crockpot

  • Slice and Dice Apples

Grab your favorite apples and transform them into bite-sized chunks. Peel away the skin and carve out the cores, creating perfectly prepped fruit for your delicious adventure.

  • Toss and Tumble in Crockpot

Drop those apple pieces into your trusty slow cooker. Sprinkle in a dash of cinnamon, splash of vanilla, and hint of lemon juice. Stir everything together to create a magical mixture that’ll make your kitchen smell incredible.

  • Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover your crockpot and let the magic happen. Let the apples simmer and meld their flavors on low heat for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Occasionally give them a gentle stir to ensure even cooking.

  • Mash or Blend Your Creation

Decide your texture destiny! For a rustic, chunky sauce, grab a fork or potato masher and go to town. Want silky smooth? Whip out an immersion blender and transform your creation into pure, creamy goodness.

  • Preserve and Enjoy

Allow your applesauce to cool down. Transfer to sealed containers and refrigerate for up to a week, or freeze for three months. Your homemade treat is ready to delight taste buds anytime!

Additions That Make Cinnamon Applesauce Extra Cozy

  • For ultra-smooth applesauce, pass the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve after blending to remove any remaining chunks.
  • Mix different apple types like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji for a more complex, layered flavor profile that'll make your taste buds dance.
  • Replace brown sugar with honey, maple syrup, or stevia for a healthier version that still delivers sweet satisfaction without compromising taste.
  • Experiment with additional warm spices like nutmeg, cardamom, or allspice to create a unique twist on traditional applesauce that'll surprise and delight.
  • This recipe is naturally vegan-friendly, making it perfect for plant-based diets and anyone looking for a simple, wholesome dessert or side dish.

How to Serve Crockpot Applesauce Warm or Chilled

  • Cozy Breakfast Companion: Spread warm, homemade cinnamon applesauce over fresh toast, pancakes, or waffles for a delightful morning treat.
  • Fall Dessert Topping: Drizzle the applesauce over vanilla ice cream, pound cake, or use as a delicious filling for pastries and hand pies.
  • Snack Time Delight: Pack the applesauce in small containers for school lunches, pair with graham crackers, or enjoy as a quick, healthy afternoon pick-me-up.
  • Versatile Cooking Ingredient: Swap out oil in baking recipes, use as a marinade for pork, or mix into yogurt for added natural sweetness and flavor.

Best Way to Store Homemade Applesauce in Batches

  • Keep homemade applesauce in airtight glass containers or mason jars, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing unwanted flavor absorption from other foods.
  • Portion applesauce into freezer-safe containers or silicone ice cube trays for quick, convenient servings. Frozen batches stay delicious for three months, perfect for quick snacks or baking needs.
  • Pack small individual containers for school or work, providing a healthy, naturally sweet treat that stays fresh and tasty throughout the day.
  • Allow hot applesauce to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating, preventing condensation and maintaining optimal texture and flavor quality.
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Smooth Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe

Smooth Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe


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4.8 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Homemade crockpot cinnamon applesauce brings pure comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Sweet apples slowly simmer with warm spices, creating a nostalgic treat you’ll savor with every spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 apples (medium, mix of Honeycrisp & Granny Smith), peeled, cored, chopped
  • 23 tbsps brown sugar (optional, adjust based on sweetness)
  • ½ cup water or apple juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (prevents browning)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional, for extra flavor)

Instructions

  1. Prepping Apples: Skillfully peel, core, and slice apples into uniform chunks, ensuring consistent cooking and texture.
  2. Crockpot Assembly: Carefully transfer apple chunks into slow cooker, gently incorporating water (or apple juice), brown sugar, ground cinnamon, pure vanilla extract, and fresh lemon juice, thoroughly mixing ingredients to distribute flavors evenly.
  3. Slow Cooking Process: Securely cover crockpot and allow apples to simmer and transform, selecting low temperature setting for 6-8 hours or high temperature setting for 3-4 hours, periodically stirring to prevent sticking and promote even breakdown.
  4. Texture Refinement: Choose desired consistency by either gently mashing with fork or potato masher for rustic, chunky applesauce or utilizing immersion blender for silky, smooth texture, adjusting technique to personal preference.
  5. Storage and Preservation: Allow applesauce to cool completely, then transfer to sealed containers, refrigerating for optimal freshness up to one week or freezing for extended enjoyment up to three months, maintaining delightful homemade quality.

Notes

  • Choose a mix of sweet and tart apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, and Granny Smith for complex, balanced flavor and natural sweetness without excessive added sugar.
  • Splash lemon juice immediately after chopping apples to prevent oxidation and maintain appetizing color while adding bright, fresh undertone to the sauce.
  • Adjust mashing intensity based on preference – gentle fork mashing creates rustic chunky texture, while immersion blender delivers silky smooth consistency for different serving styles.
  • Swap brown sugar with honey, maple syrup, or stevia for lower-glycemic versions; add warming spices like nutmeg or cardamom for enhanced depth without increasing calories.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 80
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 5mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 21g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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