Slow Cooker Homemade Applesauce

Apple season is upon us! Time to enjoy all the benefits this delicious local fruit has to offer. It’s also a great time to find a few recipes for when you have more apples than you can eat the good old fashioned way. That’s why this week’s recipe is: Slow Cooker Homemade Applesauce.

While the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away!” isn’t entirely accurate, apples are full of sustaining nutrients like the following:

• Fiber: helps maintain bowel health and aids in digestion
• Vitamin C: helps maintain healthy skin and blood vessels, and protects cells and keeps them healthy
• Potassium: helps with nerve and muscle functions, as well as maintain a healthy heart
   

Slow cookers are convenient and great for plan-ahead meals and snacks, like applesauce!

Slow Cooker Homemade Applesauce

Ingredients:

• 8 medium apples (try using a variety of apples to get a nice tart and sweet balance)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cinnamon stick (other optional spices could include nutmeg, clove, allspice, ginger)
• 5 teaspoons unpacked brown sugar

Directions:

1. Peel, core and slice apples.
2. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on low for six hours. Stir occasionally.
3. Remove cinnamon stick before serving. If you prefer a smooth sauce, blend until smooth.

Servings: six ½ cup servings
Per Serving: 130 calories, 35 g carbohydrate, 0.5 g fat, and 0.5 g protein..
Total Time: 6 hours