Homemade Small Batch Crockpot Applesauce Recipe
An easy and delicious recipe for homemade small batch Crockpot applesauce that makes just 24 ounces. If you are cooking for two, this recipe is perfect!
Apple picking in the fall is a cherished seasonal activity that captures the very essence of the season. As the leaves on the trees begin to turn shades of red, russet, and yellow, orchards everywhere come alive with the promise of crisp, juicy fresh apples waiting to be plucked from the branches. I’ve been apple picking a few times, most recently with my family at an apple orchard in Plain City, OH called The Orchard and Co.
Honeycrisp Apples
The apples were quite small, but firm and tasty. When I was deciding what to do with all the apples we picked, one of the first things that came to mind was to make my own homemade version of applesauce. Since my family was visiting, I made a big batch, and it was delicious. It was a great way to use all the extra apples. It was so good that I wanted to make it again, but the second time around I needed a much smaller amount. So I started experimenting, and came up with this recipe for homemade small batch crockpot applesauce. It took a few tries to get the ingredients correct, but it was definitely worth the time and effort! For the small batch version, I used Honeycrisp apples again, but they were the larger apples found at the grocery store. It was equally delicious as that first big batch made with smaller apples.
Why This Recipe Works
This easy recipe for a small batch of delicious applesauce has simple ingredients, and makes about 3 cups of applesauce, or 24 ounces. It’s a great side dish, or healthy snack. The day I finally got it right, my husband and I had a helping each with our dinner, and there was enough left over to fill a 16 ounce mason jar. The perfect, small batch amount.
Best Apples for Making Applesauce
What type of apple you use to make homemade applesauce is a personal preference. When it comes to picking an apple variety, there are many to choose from. Here are just a few kinds of apples that make the best applesauce:
- Gala
- Fuji
- Golden Delicious
- McIntosh
- Braeburn
- Rome
- Granny Smith apples
- Pink Lady
How To Make
- Peel, core, and slice the apples.
- Place the apples in a 3 or 4 quart slow cooker.
- Add the lemon juice, and stir so apples are coated.
- Add white sugar, light brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water.
- Mix together. Place one or two cinnamon sticks on top.
- Cook for 2 1/2 hours on high.
- When done, remove the cinnamon stick(s) and stir the apples well. They will break up easily.
- Store in mason jars or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Crockpot Applesauce Tips
- I used a 4 quart oval crockpot to cook this small batch applesauce. If you want to make more than 24 ounces, simply double the recipe. There should be plenty of room in the crockpot.
- When this easy applesauce recipe is finished cooking, it works very well to simply stir it for a few minutes with a large spoon. This results in a slightly chunky applesauce. For a smoother consistency, an immersion blender or a potato masher can be used.
- The white sugar and brown sugar amounts can be adjusted, but make sure your total amount of sugar equals 6 tablespoons.
A Lovely Gift
I believe that a gift presented in a mason jar has its own particular charm…and this slow cooker applesauce recipe proves my point! These fluted 16 ounce mason jars (pictured above) are relatively new, and they have the prettiest shape. Add a free printable fall gift tag, and you have a lovely gift that celebrates apple season. It comes straight from your kitchen…and your heart.
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More Apple Recipes
Homemade Small Batch Crockpot Applesauce
Equipment
- 4 quart slow cooker
Ingredients
- 2 – 2 1/2 lbs. Honeycrisp apples (about 4 large apples)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Instructions
- Peel, core, and slice the apples.
- Place the apples in a 3 or 4 quart slow cooker.
- Add the lemon juice, and stir so apples are coated.
- Add white sugar, brown sugar, and water.
- Mix together. Place cinnamon stick on top.
- Cook for 2 1/2 hours on high.
- When done, remove the cinnamon stick and stir the apples well. They will break up easily.
- Store in mason jars in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
If you make this recipe, and love it, please come back to leave a comment and a 5-star review. I would really appreciate it, and it would help me so much. Thank you!
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