How do you make homemade applesauce?

[wrestlegirl]

Please, please...we love apple butter. If it is easy, maybe I can do it:)

It's soooooo easy, there's really no way to mess it up. Since it's all done in the Crockpot there's very little mess to clean and you don't have to keep a close eye on it. Once I clear some freezer space I'm making this year's double batch!


Crockpot Apple Butter
5lbs apples
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon cinnamon (more if you're a big cinnamon fan)
1 teaspoon nutmeg
two pinches salt

Preheat Crockpot (5qt or larger) on high heat while you do the prep.
In a large bowl, mix together sugars and seasonings.
Core the apples, then chop them roughly into approximate 1" pieces. Dump the apples into the sugar mixture and toss or stir to coat.
Dump everything into the Crockpot.
Cover and cook for 1 hour.
After an hour has passed, the apples will have given off a fair amount of liquid. Stir, replace lid, and reduce the heat to low.
Continue cooking for another 9 hours on low, stirring occasionally.
Uncover the Crockpot and cook an additional 1-2 hours, or until the apple butter is no longer watery and is a nice, dark mahogany brown.
Turn off the heat and let the apple butter cool at room temperature for an hour.
Using an immersion blender or food processor, puree the apple butter smooth.
Divide into freezer safe containers; this lasts for many months in the freezer, so only keep a small amount in the refrigerator at a time. If you have canning equipment, you can also can and put up the apple butter.

Note: if you use a more tart apple like Granny Smith or if you prefer a sweeter spread, add more sugar during the cooking process to taste.


Here's what it should look like when it's finished.
(I like taking artsy pictures of my food. It's a sickness, really....)



Another note - this stuff is SO GOOD between layers of spice cake. You can also make up a batch of yellow cake (from a mix is fine) in a 13x9 pan and put some healthy dollops of the apple butter right on top of the cake batter before it bakes - the apple butter swirls itself in and you wind up with a fantastic breakfast cake.

[anaj06]

Wow that apple butter looks good! I am going to have to try that!

I am done with my applesauce and it tastes great! I think I might have added more sugar than necessary but I will add less next time.

I was really surprised at how little a 1/2 bushel of apples made. I need to get me a food mill so I don't have to waste apple and time peeling. I can't decide whether to go buy more apples and make more or not...right now my right arm feels like it might fall off

Thanks for all the suggestions!