This crockpot applesauce with brown sugar is the perfect fall treat. Not only is it so easy to make your own applesauce, but it’s ideal for everything from a simple snack to the perfect weeknight or holiday dinner side dish. Let your slow cooker do the work so you can get on with your life! Bonus: your house will smell amazing!
Original post: September 2014 | Updated: September 2020 and October 2024
Why This Recipe Works
- Great way to use leftover apples or if you have an abundance of apples.
- I make this delicious applesauce at least a dozen times each fall. The recipe has literally never failed me.
- So much better than store-bought. (It’s not even close.)
- Super easy to make.
- Great use for juicy fall apples (especially if you enjoy apple picking at your local apple orchard)
- Perfect snack, breakfast, or dessert topping for ice cream.
- The amazing aroma that will fill your house as this cooks cannot be beat.
I should start by saying that I am mildly obsessed with apples. Maybe mildly is putting it mildly. Every year when apple season rolls around, I’m baking and cooking with apples, swirling them through streams of delicious caramel and of course, making this crock pot applesauce by the truckload.
Even my teen, who has been eating this very recipe for years, told me recently that it is the “best applesauce he has ever eaten in his life.” High praise indeed from a teenager. And I know it’s true, because every time I make a big batch of this, it lasts two days in my fridge. Two. Days.
And the best part is this recipe is as simple as it is tasty. Just let the slow cooker do all the work for you! This delicious homemade applesauce is as perfect for a weeknight dinner as it is at a holiday dinner.
I love to get this crockpot applesauce with brown sugar started on Thanksgiving or Christmas morning so the whole house smells amazing when guests arrive.
Slow Cooker Applesauce Recipe Ingredients
This simple recipe uses fresh ingredients for the absolute best results every time.
Apples – Use medium baking apples such as honeycrisp apples, gala, pink lady, jonagold or granny smith. A mix of sweet and tart apples will bring a lot of dimension to the flavor of the applesauce.
Brown sugar – If you prefer, you can use more naturally sweet apples and reduce the amount of brown sugar you add. Other sugar substitutes that would be great are maple syrup, coconut sugar, agave nectar, honey or stevia.
Cinnamon – Double the amount of cinnamon if you really love cinnamon-y applesauce.
Lemon juice – Or any citrus juice. This is going to keep your apples from turning brown.
How to Make Crockpot Applesauce with Brown Sugar
Making this delicious, homemade apple sauce is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Actually, it’s even easier than that.
Step 1
Combine all ingredients in a crockpot.
Step 2
Cook on high for 5 hours, stirring occasionally.
Step 3
Store in airtight containers, refrigerate, and use within 2 weeks.
Best Types of Apples for Applesauce
There is such a wide variety of apples, and everyone has a different personal preference! When making applesauce you want a variety of flavors, but also consider that you want them to be softer so they cook down well into the sauce you desire.
Here are some suggestions to mix together:
Sweet/Softer Apple Brands
- Fuji Apples
- Cortland
- Red Delicious
- Golden Delicious
Tart (or a little Sour) Apple Brands
- Granny Smith Apples
- McIntosh
- Ida Red
- Braeburn
How To Peel and Core an Apple
- The easiest way to peel, core and slice a lot of apples is to use this magical apple peeler corer and slicer.
- You can also use a sharp paring knife to get the job done.
How To Keep Apples From Turning Brown
Fill a large bowl half full with cool water and squirt the juice from a lemon into it.
As you peel, core and slice the apples, toss them into the citrus water to keep them from turning brown. Make sure all white parts of the apple pieces are submerged in the citrus water.
Recipe Notes & Tips
- If you love more complex flavors, you could add a little of each of the following (no more than 1/2 teaspoon each): nutmeg, pumpkin spice, allspice and cloves.
- I use a potato masher to make the mixture a little less chunky after it’s done cooking down. An immersion blender or food processor can be used for a really smooth applesauce.
- If you like chunky applesauce, just don’t mash the cooked apples as much.
- Harder apple varieties will take longer to cook down than softer ones.
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract for an additional boost of great flavor.
- Use an extra teaspoon of cinnamon if you enjoy cinnamon applesauce.
- Omit the sugar for unsweetened applesauce.
Apple Butter vs Applesauce
Apple butter is somewhat similar to applesauce in ingredients and cooking methods, but that’s about where the similarities end. It is a thicker, preserve-like spread that can be chunky or smooth, like peanut butter.
It’s great for spreading on toast or pancakes or waffles, or just eating with a spoon. You can learn more by checking out my Apple Butter recipe.
How To Use Applesauce In Baking
You can use applesauce as a replacement for oil, butter, sugar, or eggs in baking. Applesauce works best in sweet baked goods and not so much in savory ones.
- For oil or butter, use applesauce in a one to one ratio for the subbed ingredient
- As an egg replacement, use 1/4 – 1/3 cup of applesauce.
- Use applesauce in a 1:1 ratio to replace sugar. You will need to slightly lessen the amount of other wet ingredients for the recipe to accommodate.
How to Serve Homemade Applesauce
There’s almost no limit to the delicious ways to serve this easy applesauce. These are just a few of my family’s favorites.
- Of course it’s perfect with Slow Cooker Pork Loin, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, and of course Classic Pan-Fried Pork Chops.
- I also recommend it as a simple side for Marinated Steak Bites and Baked Potato
- It’s great alongside Hamburgers or Sloppy Joes and French Fries
- We love it with Chicken Tenders or Grilled Jerk Chicken
- Serve it alongside your Holiday Ham or Thanksgiving Turkey
- It also makes a great topping for vanilla ice cream
How To Store Homemade Applesauce
Once the applesauce has cooled, ladle into an airtight container or mason jars. Store in the fridge for up to 10 days.
To extend the shelf life, store extra applesauce in freezer-safe container bags in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Favorite Apple Recipes
- Caramel Apples are the perfect fall or Halloween treat. They are SO easy to make using a few ingredients and done in minutes.
- Instant Pot Pork and Apples is the perfect fall dinner. It requires only a few ingredients and it is finished in 30 minutes!
- Make Apple Pie Filling in your Instant Pot quickly and easily! Throw this delicious sweet pie filling into your next apple pie for a perfect holiday or any time dessert. Having a batch in your freezer makes pie-making SO EASY!
- Apple Carrot Cake Muffins – Apples and carrots create the most delicious little muffin you could ever imagine. Great as a snack, breakfast or dessert!
- The only thing better than salted caramel apples is Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake! This is the perfect fall treat and a great way to use up any type of apples.
Even More Apple Recipes
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Crockpot Applesauce With Brown Sugar Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10-12 medium apples peeled and cored
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1/2 Lemon juiced
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a crockpot. Cook on high for 5 hours, stirring occasionally. Cover and refrigerate and use within 2 weeks.
Notes
- If you love more complex flavors, you could add a little of each of the following (no more than 1/2 teaspoon each): nutmeg, pumpkin spice, allspice and cloves.
- I use a potato masher to make the mixture a little less chunky after it’s done cooking down. An immersion blender or food processor can be used for a really smooth applesauce.
- If you like chunky applesauce, just don’t mash the cooked apples as much.
- Harder apple varieties will take longer to cook down than softer ones.
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract for an additional boost of great flavor.
- Use an extra teaspoon of cinnamon if you enjoy cinnamon applesauce.
- Omit the sugar for unsweetened applesauce.
Shelly Zabawa
This is our families favorite applesauce recipe, hands-down!
Karen M. Roth
I am having trouble printing this recipe out. I really would love to try it.
Lisa
If your on your cellphone, take a screeshot! 🙂 have a great day 🙂
Bonnie
This is my 3rd or 4th year making this and it is soooo yummy! I only make it in the fall; it just seems that is when I should 🙂 At the farmers’ market stand the lady recommended using Cortland apples so that is what I have always used. I have tried coconut sugar as well as the brown sugar and I liked it equally well. I freeze mine in individual portions and it’s still yummy in the middle of January!
Megan Porta
Hi Bonnie – thank you for sharing that! I love hearing when someone really loves a recipe. I also like making mine in the fall. I appreciate all the tips you shared for myself and others who are interested in making it. Enjoy!
Traci
Do you have a favorite kind of apple that works the best with this recipe? I’m feeling apple sauce cravings coming on!
Megan Porta
I think a mix of sweet and tart is good but that’s a preference thing. You wouldn’t go wrong with all sweet apples of your choice either! You won’t be sad – they are so yummy!
Cher
I made this recipe last night it is delicious!
Megan Porta
We love this one so much, too, Cher! Glad you enjoyed it!
Megan
Kate
This is amazing!! Why did I only make a half-recipe?!
Andrea
Could you can this recipe as well? Also, could you switch out the brown sugar for another sweetner and have it turn out the same?
Megan Porta
Hi Ruby! This recipe makes approximately 10-12 servings, a serving being around 3/4 cup. I hope this helps and that you enjoy it!
Megan
Ruby
How many cups of applesauce does this make?
It sounds so good thx for sharing it.
Megan Porta
Hi Andrea! You can DEFINITELY can this recipe! Use a hot water bath for your jars or run them through the dishwasher. Immediately pour applesauce into jars and screw the lids on tightly. They will pop/seal on their own and you can store them for a few months. You can also freeze the applesauce without having to go through the sealing process. I hope this helps!
Megan
Andrea
Is there a way to can this recipe? I love this recipe and want to make a lot but I don't have enough freezer room.
Kelly
I froze it.
Andrea
Is there any way to store this for longer than 2 weeks?
Megan Porta
Definitely, Brenda! Make a huge batch and freeze it for a few months!
Megan
Brenda
Can this applesauce be frozen after it cools?
Kelly e
could I freeze this?
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Homemade apple sauce is the best! Loving this!