Description
Homemade cinnamon applesauce brings warmth to kitchens with minimal effort. Slow-cooker methods create delightful spiced treats that families will savor with pure comfort and simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 medium apples (Honeycrisp & Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and chopped
- ⅔ tbsps (40 ml) brown sugar
- 1 tsp (5 ml) cinnamon
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) water or apple juice
- 1 tbsp (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) lemon juice
Instructions
- Preparation: Curate a selection of ripe, firm apples with a balance of sweet and tart varieties to maximize flavor depth.
- Processing: Strip apples of their skin, core, and dice into consistent, bite-sized chunks, ensuring uniform cooking and texture.
- Layering: Distribute apple pieces evenly across the crockpot base, creating a foundational layer for the sauce.
- Moisturizing: Cascade apple juice or water over the fruit to prevent adhesion and provide essential cooking liquid.
- Seasoning: Dust ground cinnamon liberally across the apples, infusing a warm, aromatic essence, then sprinkle brown sugar to amplify natural sweetness.
- Flavor Enhancement: Introduce vanilla extract and a citrusy splash of lemon juice to brighten the profile and inhibit apple browning.
- Slow Cooking: Seal the crockpot lid, set to low temperature, and allow apples to gently transform over 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure even breakdown and prevent bottom-layer scorching.
- Texture Refinement: Once apples reach a tender consistency, choose between a rustic, chunky approach using a potato masher or a silky-smooth technique with an immersion blender.
- Preservation: Cool the applesauce completely, then transfer to sterile, airtight containers. Refrigerate for a week or freeze for extended enjoyment, maintaining a delectable homemade delicacy.
Notes
- Choose Apples Wisely: Combine sweet and tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Fuji for a balanced, complex flavor profile.
- Prevent Browning Strategically: Add a splash of lemon juice to maintain fresh color and prevent apple oxidation during slow cooking.
- Control Texture Precisely: Use a potato masher for chunky sauce or immersion blender for silky smooth consistency based on personal preference.
- Enhance Flavor Subtly: Experiment with additional spices like nutmeg or cardamom to elevate the classic cinnamon applesauce and create unique taste variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg