Applesauce: a fall favorite for adults and kids

Posted on Tue, Aug 25, 2009 : 10:23 p.m.

Applesauce: a fall favorite for adults and kids

By Teresa Shaw

Apple season is around the corner and, if you're like me, you'll buy a half peck or a peck or - oh, what the heck - a whole bushel of apples at the orchard because they look and smell so darn good. But when you get them home and buyer's remorse sets in, don't fret -- when life gives you apples, make applesauce. While applesauce can be labor intensive, this recipe uses a crock pot for the cooking, so the real work is in the peeling and coring. Enlist your kids to help and let the whole family enjoy the fruits (ha) of your labor when it's finished.

An added benefit: your house will smell divine, with the baking apple and cinnamon scent wafting throughout. If you're like me, you'll wish you could just eat the air.

Slow Cooker Applesauce 4-5 lbs. apples (use cooking apples such as Mcintosh or Winesap for best results) 1/2 c water 2 T cinnamon 1/2 c sugar 2 T fresh lemon juice

Wash, core, peel and chop the apples into large chunks. Dump apples and other ingredients in the slow cooker and set on low heat. Cook for about 8 hours or until apples have softened and cooked down. Allow the apples to cool slightly and then use a potato masher or immersion blender to blend until its to the desired consistence (add more water if too thick).

Since I always end up making more than we could ever use, I like to can some to keep over the winter. It'll make a great sauce for pork chops, or just a nice treat with vanilla ice cream on those cold winter days.

Teresa Shaw is a freelance writer based in Ann Arbor. For more recipes, visit her Web site, Think Inside the Icebox.

Photo: Teresa Shaw,

Comments

Teresa Shaw

Wed, Aug 26, 2009 : 5:19 p.m.

@Jen I do have a crank peeler/slicer and LOVE using it for applesauce and pies. @Tammy I love having warmed up applesauce in the winter - so comforting! @Mona Gotta love the slow cooker! Perfect for the busy parent who wants to make homemade meals but doesn't have the time. @Laura Sept 11 will be here before we know it! Thanks for the tip.

Laura Bien

Wed, Aug 26, 2009 : 4:37 p.m.

Hmm, Wasem's apple-pickin' season starts Sept. 11! Might have to get *2* big bags this year instead of 1! http://wasemfruitfarm.com/fall.html

Mona Shand

Wed, Aug 26, 2009 : 10:52 a.m.

It's funny- I made applesauce when I was making my son's baby food, but for some reason I've never made it for the rest of us! I will definitely try this- any recipe that allows me to dump in the ingredients and leave them for 8 hours is right up my alley! Thanks, Teresa!

Tammy Mayrend

Wed, Aug 26, 2009 : 9:53 a.m.

I use our food mill, works great! We LOVE making applesauce every year and freeze it for use throughout the winter. YUM!

Jennifer Shikes Haines

Wed, Aug 26, 2009 : 9:41 a.m.

If you get a crank peeler/corer/slicer, it's even easier! We make this all the time starting in the fall - wonderful stuff!

Teresa Shaw

Wed, Aug 26, 2009 : 8:45 a.m.

Hi, Laura. Thanks for your kind comments! I'm not a big proponent of kitchen gadgets, either (well, except for my immersion blender...). Yes, to can, I do 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.

Laura Bien

Wed, Aug 26, 2009 : 8:04 a.m.

This sounds good; and I like the potato-masher part--don't have a lot of fancy food-processing machines, so that is helpful. We go to Wasem's every fall for apple-picking, and I'll keep this recipe in mind; thank you! Quick question: to can, do you do a standard boiling-water bath for 10 mins or so?