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    Home » Snacks » Crockpot Applesauce With Brown Sugar Recipe

    Crockpot Applesauce With Brown Sugar Recipe

    Published: Oct 16, 2024 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    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!

    Small bowl of crockpot applesauce next to spoons and apples.

    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.

    Ingredients for crockpot applesauce lined up on a white counter.

    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. 

    two photos: apple sauce ingredients in a crockpot unmixed, next to applesauce ingredients mixed.

    Step 2

    Cook on high for 5 hours, stirring occasionally. 

    Two photos: on left, applesauce after cookies. on left, applesauce after mashing and stirring.

    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
    Apple corer and peeler with an apple stuck in the end.

    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.

    Peeled and cored apples floating in a large bowl of 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.
    hand holding bowl of applesauce with spoon coming out.

    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
    Top view of two bowls of crockpot applesauce with spoons in between.

    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

    • Apple Pie Bars
    • Apple Streusel Coffee Cake
    • Instant Pot Apple Cider
    • Apple Snickerdoodle Cookies

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    Crockpot Applesauce With Brown Sugar Recipe

    This crockpot applesauce with brown sugar recipe 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!
    5 from 2 votes
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    Print Pin Rate
    Course: snacks
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 hours hours
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 128.94kcal
    Author: Megan Porta

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 128.94kcal | Carbohydrates: 33.95g | Protein: 0.53g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.05g | Sodium: 16.77mg | Fiber: 4.47g | Sugar: 27.2g
    Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!
    « Copycat Arbys Sauce Recipe
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shelly Zabawa

      June 04, 2021 at 6:47 pm

      5 stars
      This is our families favorite applesauce recipe, hands-down!

      Reply
    2. Karen M. Roth

      September 25, 2019 at 12:28 pm

      I am having trouble printing this recipe out. I really would love to try it.

      Reply
      • Lisa

        September 13, 2022 at 11:30 pm

        5 stars
        If your on your cellphone, take a screeshot! 🙂 have a great day 🙂

        Reply
    3. Bonnie

      October 06, 2018 at 2:13 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        October 07, 2018 at 4:09 am

        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!

        Reply
    4. Traci

      September 20, 2018 at 9:53 pm

      Do you have a favorite kind of apple that works the best with this recipe? I’m feeling apple sauce cravings coming on!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        September 21, 2018 at 12:59 am

        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!

        Reply
    5. Cher

      September 18, 2016 at 6:41 pm

      I made this recipe last night it is delicious!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        September 20, 2016 at 4:42 pm

        We love this one so much, too, Cher! Glad you enjoyed it!
        Megan

        Reply
    6. Kate

      December 10, 2015 at 6:00 pm

      This is amazing!! Why did I only make a half-recipe?!

      Reply
    7. Andrea

      October 13, 2015 at 2:37 pm

      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?

      Reply
    8. Megan Porta

      September 19, 2015 at 2:52 pm

      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

      Reply
    9. Ruby

      September 19, 2015 at 10:11 am

      How many cups of applesauce does this make?
      It sounds so good thx for sharing it.

      Reply
    10. Megan Porta

      September 18, 2015 at 1:30 am

      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

      Reply
    11. Andrea

      September 17, 2015 at 6:46 pm

      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.

      Reply
    12. Kelly

      September 15, 2015 at 2:56 pm

      I froze it.

      Reply
    13. Andrea

      September 15, 2015 at 2:40 pm

      Is there any way to store this for longer than 2 weeks?

      Reply
    14. Megan Porta

      October 20, 2014 at 11:51 pm

      Definitely, Brenda! Make a huge batch and freeze it for a few months!
      Megan

      Reply
    15. Brenda

      October 20, 2014 at 3:57 pm

      Can this applesauce be frozen after it cools?

      Reply
    16. Kelly e

      October 10, 2014 at 7:13 pm

      could I freeze this?

      Reply
    17. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar

      September 22, 2014 at 6:26 pm

      Homemade apple sauce is the best! Loving this!

      Reply
    5 from 2 votes

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