We are blessed with an abundance of fruit growing freely in our backyard. Three apple trees, a plum tree, a peach tree, and grapes that travel over our fence line from our next door neighbor's yard. There is also a grapefruit tree growing in the abandoned yard directly behind our house, where I like to take the kids and liberate the tart little orbs.
This year our apple trees are producing like I've never seen, so I needed to find something to do with the plethora of green fruits.
Thus, my first attempt at applesauce.
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picked fresh today!
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I poked around on
Pinterest for a recipe, and found (of course) dozens of crock pot applesauce pins. I decided to Frankenstein a couple recipes together to come up with my own.
Step one:
Peel, core & dice 6-8 apples (depending on size.)
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| after this, I just gave them a really rough chop. not too small. |
Step two: Stir together 1/2 Cup water, 1/4 Cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 Tablespoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Step three: Add cut apples to crock pot, then pour liquid mixture evenly over apples.
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| omg yum. |
Step four: Set crock pot to "Low." They cook for about 4 hours total, but halfway through, I gave them a stir. (Ok, maybe I just wanted to get a really good whiff up close, cuz man oh man, did this smell amazing!)
Step five: turn crock pot off and mash apples with potato masher. Let cool & refrigerate. Or serve warm! Whatever you want!
I'm thinking about making some pie dough & making dumplings with the mixture. Or topping my waffles with it. Or my ice cream, or stirring some into my oatmeal.....
The possibilities are endless :)
