Crockpot Applesauce

It gets the color from the cinnamon that you put in it.

Here is a great recipe that you can make with all of the apples that you may have sitting around!
This recipe will make 6 cups of applesauce or 3 quarts total.

10-15 apples- these could be any kind you like but a baking apple would be preferable. ( I used granny smith apples- I love the tartness of them!) These need to be peeled, cored and chopped up small.
1 cup of sugar (depending on the kind of apple you use- you may want to use less sugar.)
1 cup of water
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine these ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low for about 11 hours.

When you are done you can freeze the applesauce (although I would wait to put your HOT applesauce in the freezer until it cools down. Or you can can it- you need to place your canned applesauce in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes- the water bath needs to completely cover your jars. After pull them out and place them in a spot with no draft to cool and listen for the lids to seal- you'll hear a little pop as they seal.

Enjoy! Applesauce can be used in many recipes as a subsitution for shortening or butter. Remember that using all applesauce in a recipe can make things chewy- subbing part of it will make them less chewy but save you the calories!

As a side- we figured out that a cup of this applesauce is about 8 points in weight watchers on their plus points program.

Peanut Butter Apple Crisp

This came from The Gooseberry Patch website from Autumn in the Country cookbook. Apples and Peanut Butter....sounds so good for fall! Try it out!

1 c. all-purpose flour

1-1/2 c. brown sugar, packed

1 t. cinnamon

3/4 c. creamy peanut butter

1/3 c. butter

6 to 8 tart apples, cored, peeled and thinly sliced

2 T. lemon juice

1 t. lemon zest



Combine flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Cut in peanut butter and butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs, set aside. Arrange apple slices in a lightly greased 13"x9" baking pan; sprinkle with lemon juice and zest. Top apples with crumb mixture; bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes. Serves 10 to 12.

Apple Spice Cake

1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter
2 eggs
2 c. self-rising flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 c. milk
2 c. chopped apples

Cream sugar and butter. Add eggs; beat well. Stir flour with spices and add to mixture, alternately with milk. Bake in greased, floured 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan in oven at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.

TOPPING:

1 c. brown sugar
1 tbsp. cornstarch
2 tbsp. milk
2 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. flaked coconut
1/2 c. pecans

Mix above ingredients. Pour coconut-nut topping mixture over cake and return to oven on BROIL setting until slightly brown on top.