Crock Pot Cranberry Applesauce

This week's recipe is a nice treat that uses ingredients of the season, Crock Pot Cranberry Applesauce! I always use my crock pot now for making applesauce, it is so easy, and not as labor intensive when cooking, in my opinion. I'm also a lover of all things cranberry, so I thought I'd give this recipe a whirl this year. I had a bunch of orchard apples in my pantry that were starting to go soft, so that means applesauce time in my house! With this recipe, you add the brown sugar to taste, as it really depends on your preference and the type of apples you use. Cranberries are naturally tart, so some sweetener is likely needed. My apples were a mix of Macintosh and honey crisp, and I used a half cup of packed light brown sugar, and it was perfect. My 2 year old gobbled some up at breakfast this morning, so if she likes it, it's a good recipe, LOL!

 

Crock Pot Cranberry Applesauce

• About 5 lbs apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 1 bag fresh cranberries (12 oz)
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• brown sugar, to taste (add a quarter cup at a time until you get the sweetness you want)

Peel, core & slice apples, and place in your slow cooker. Pour in the bag of fresh cranberries and throw in the cinnamon sticks. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

When done, remove the cinnamon sticks and mash the applesauce in the crock, or use an immersion blender, depending on whether you want a chunky or smooth sauce. Add some brown sugar, 1/4 cup at a time and taste it until you get the desired sweetness you want.

Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze or can this. I canned it, and got 6 pint jars out of the recipe.

Crock Pot Apple Butter

(originally posted on www.wglr.com on 11-12-13)

This recipe was the result of timing working well with two things last week. First, I had too many apples in my pantry from a few orchard trips in October that were going soft. Second, I got a new toy! An immersion blender! I have wanted one for a while and found a great deal for one online, and it came in the mail last week. So, I had the perfect combination to try to make my own apple butter! And let me tell you, it’s REALLY delicious, it turned out better than I expected. And don’t fret if you don’t have an immersion blender. I prefer smooth apple butter, but you can just enjoy it chunkier, or throw it in your blender, too. It tastes awesome on warm biscuits, toast, crackers, english muffins, etc.! And the best part is how this makes your house smell all day! So wonderful!

CROCK POT APPLE BUTTER

• About a dozen medium apples, peeled, cored & diced (I used 18 small-medium, and got about a pint and a half of butter)
• 1/2 cup water or apple cider (I used cider)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp allspice

Place apples in your crock pot, add in all other ingredients. Give it a good stir to coat all the apples with spices. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. The process is similar to making applesauce, except you need to cook it down more to a thicker consistency. After the initial cooking time, put (or keep) the crock on HIGH, and either vent the lid with a wooden spoon, or remover the cover altogether, and cook for another hour or two, checking consistency. It needs to thicken up to become apple butter.

When it cooks down to a thicker consistency than apple sauce, you can give it a good mash if you want it chunkier, or you can take the immersion blender to it to smooth it out. Store it in jars or plastic containers in the fridge.

Slow Cooker Autumn Applesauce

Here is Julie's Crock of the Week from the week of October 10, 2011:

Slow Cooker Autumn Applesauce

14 medium apples, peeled, cored & cut into chunks (I used Jonamac apples)

1/3 cup apple cider

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

Place the apples in the crock pot. Sprinkle brown sugar and spices on top, and stir to get the spices on all the apples. Pour cider in. Cook on low for 7-9 hours. Makes about 6 cups.

I am not a fan of really chunky applesauce. I take a whisk to the mixture when it is done to make it smoother. But it still has a pretty substantial consistency to it. Whatever you prefer!