I love my slow cooker*. It has made countless dinners an effortless process. Additionally, it’s been fun trying a variety of dump recipes during my hiatus. I recently discovered that I could make slow cooker Spiced Cinnamon Applesauce, and now I don’t want to go back to regular store-bought applesauce.

There’s something cozy about homemade applesauce. It has a richer flavor that varies widely depending on the apples you use. Better still, you can completely control how sweet your applesauce is when you make it yourself. Although I like to turn my applesauce into a luxurious dessert, you are more than welcome to skip the sugar and opt for a healthier version of this recipe.

Consider Granny Smith Apples

I am a big fan of Granny Smith Apples. I frequently make what I call an “apple snack” where I drizzle peanut butter, sprinkle chocolate chips, and toss in a few nuts and eat the mess with a great deal of relish. That sharp, almost sour flavor and crispy texture only comes from a Granny Smith apple, and I can’t get enough of them.

Whenever I make applesauce, I prefer using Granny Smith apples. They lend a certain tartness that the apple pie spice and the cinnamon sugar softens rather than dulls. When cooked with everything else, the apples taste like liquid gold.

But just because I prefer Granny Smith apples doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. You can make applesauce from just about any apples you have on hand. You could even do a mix of multiple apples and create your own unique flavors. If you prefer a sauce that’s less tart and more sweet, consider using Gala or Fuji apples.

Slow Cooker Spiced Cinnamon Applesauce

A warm and cozy fall dessert that you can make any time of year. Go nuts with the spice or opt out of the sugar – this recipe is completely customizable.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 15

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 6 Servings

Calories 153 kcal

Ingredients

453 Grams Apples – Peeled, Chopped, and Sliced (3 Pounds)
100 Grams White Granulated Sugar (1/2 Cup)
2 Grams Apple Pie Spice (1 Teaspoon)
0.5 Grams Salt (1/8 Teaspoon)
2 Grams Vanilla Extract (1/2 Teaspoon)
118 Grams Water (1/2 Cup)

Instructions

Put the apples in the bottom of the slow cooker.
In a small bowl whisk together the sugar, apple pie spice, and salt. Sprinkle over the apples.
Pour the water and vanilla extract over the apples.
Cover with the lid and cook for 4 hours on high.
Whisk the apples together until smooth.
Serve warm or allow to cool completely before storing in a sealed container in the fridge.

Notes

Slow cooker times vary! In my smaller slow cooker, I need the full four hours for the apples to soften enough into sauce. In my larger slow cooker, the apples fall apart after about an hour and a half. Keep an eye on your apples to ensure proper cook times.

You don’t have to turn the apples into applesauce if you don’t want to. I love slow cooker spiced cinnamon apples as a dessert. Just cut the cook times until the apples are tender but not mush (again, cook times vary). Then top with whipped cream, chopped nuts, or granola.

Need a healthier option? You can skip the sugar entirely. Just know that the sugar helps counter the sharp, sour flavor of the Granny Smith apples. For a muted, sweeter flavor, consider a different type of apple such as gala or Fuji.

Not a fan of cinnamon? Feel free to leave it out! Apple pie spice adds a warmth to the applesauce, but you don’t need it to make this flavorful snack.

Keyword Slow Cooker Applesauce, Slow Cooker Chicken, Spiced Cinnamon Applesauce

Did You Try It?

I love homemade applesauce, and it’s fun to serve this slow-cooker recipe to my friends and family. But I’m always open to new ideas and feedback. If you have suggestions for improving this slow-cooker spiced cinnamon applesauce, let me know in the comment section below or shoot me a message through my contact me page. If you enjoy this recipe as it is, please leave a star-rating to support my site.

*As an Amazon associate, I do receive a small commission on purchases from affiliate links. However, I only recommend products that I use and enjoy regularly, and I do not get paid for my opinions or for writing product reviews.