Last year, I had several friends who raved about their homemade applesauce, so I vowed to try it this year.  My friends were right, it’s delicious and extremely easy when made in the Crock Pot.  If you use an apple peeler, like the one below, it is even easier and much faster.  Slow cooker applesauce has the aroma and flavor of apple pie, so fresh from the slow cooker it’s quite tasty poured warm over vanilla ice cream.  It’s also delicious as a topping for oatmeal.  I had heard that your first batch of homemade applesauce goes fast, so I didn’t bother trying to pressure can it this time. I am just storing my leftovers in the refrigerator.  Next year, I’ll be canning some for my food storage.  Below are the simple instructions to make your own.

SLOW COOKER APPLESAUCE

4 lbs. tart apples, cored and thinly sliced (about 12 cups)

1/2 cup sugar (I used about 1/4 c.)

1/2 tsp. cinnamon or apple pie spice

1 cup water

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Mix apples with cinnamon and sugar and put into Crock Pot.  Pour water and lemon juice over the apple mixture.  Cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for 3 hours.