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Homemade Brown Sugar Cinnamon Applesauce

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This brown sugar cinnamon applesauce is a simple and easy healthy recipe made in the slow cooker.  It’s naturally gluten-free and vegan, and can also be customized to be refined sugar free or paleo.

Scroll down for the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Applesauce recipe made in the crock pot.


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One of the perks of living in the Northeast is the abundance of apples in the fall.  We love to go apple picking, but also get apples through our CSA.  Each fall, we take all our apples and turn them into applesauce.  It’s so simple to make and the kids love it.  We’ve experimented with many variations, but this recipe for brown sugar cinnamon applesauce is my absolute favorite!

Why you’ll love this Homemade Brown Sugar Cinnamon Applesauce

  • Making brown sugar and cinnamon applesauce in your slow cooker provides a delightful, homemade flavor reminiscent of homemade apple pie filling that surpasses store-bought versions.
  • It allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring a healthier and preservative-free option for you and your family.
  • The slow cooker simplifies the process, making it a convenient and hands-off way to enjoy the warm, comforting aroma and taste of freshly made applesauce.

Ready to take back control of your meals and love your gluten free life? Take the 45 second quiz to get a personalized plan with the guide you need to thrive!

image of sharon mccaskill with computer with snag your ideal gluten free eating plan

>> Click here for your custom guide to success! <<

Easy Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Cinnamon Recipe Variations:

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, but can easily be modified to be refined sugar-free or paleo!

Ingredients for Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Applesauce

This slow cooker cinnamon brown sugar applesauce only requires 4 ingredients.  All these ingredients can be found at your local grocery store, but you’ll find great deals on spices and sweeteners at Thrive Market.

Click here to learn more about how Thrive Market saves me money on groceries and a promotional link to save up to $20 on your first order!

To make this gluten-free crock pot applesauce you’ll need:

  • 3 lbs apples (your favorite!)
  • 3 tbsp Brown Sugar (or sugar substitute)
  • 1 tbsp Cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • ¼ cup Water
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Refined Sugar Free Crock Pot Applesauce

If going for a sugar free applesauce recipe, substitute the brown sugar for a sugar substitute.  My two favorite brown sugar substitutes are:

I’ve made this applesauce with each of these—it doesn’t lose any flavor! Often, Thrive Market has excellent deals on both of these sweeteners–I typically buy them at Thrive Market. You can save up to $20 off your purchase at Thrive Market by purchasing through this link.

Paleo Crock Pot Applesauce

If wanting to keep this recipe paleo, substitute a brown coconut sugar like this one that’s gluten-free.

Tools Needed for Crock Pot Cinnamon Brown Sugar Applesauce

To make this brown sugar cinnamon applesauce, you’ll need:

  • cutting/chopping tools
  • a slow cooker
  • a stick blender

A regular knife and cutting board are fine for chopping apples, but if you plan to make this frequently, I highly recommend investing in an apple corer and slicer.  It just makes the process so much quicker!

This apple corer and slicer from OXO is super affordable and easy to use:

I love that this one has cushioned handles! See the reviews on Amazon here.

If you’re looking for something which requires a bit less strength, this spiralizer by Kitchen Aid will not only core and slice your apples but peel them as well.  Plus, it can be used to make veggie noodles—and I’m all for multi-functional kitchen gadgets! 

This Kitchen Aid attachment is AH-MAZING! It peels and slices your apples quickly. Click here to see why users love it on Amazon.

Personally, when I’m making this applesauce, I don’t peel my apples.  It tastes great, so why bother?  I just wash them, chop them, and throw them into the crockpot.

I love having a slow cooker with a timer—and they are so affordable!  You can also use an Instant Pot or the Ninja Foodie as a slow cooker, so an all-in-one appliance may be a really great choice for your family (and a space saver!)

To finish off this recipe, you’ll use a stick blender to puree the cooked apples into applesauce.  There are so many stick blenders on the market, but I have the Cuisinart.  We use this multiple times a week for soups, bulletproof coffee, and whipping up cream.

See what reviewers love about this Cuisinart immersion blender at Amazon here!

How to Make Gluten-Free Brown Sugar Cinnamon Applesauce

Step 1:

Wash, chop, and core your apples (and toss them into the crockpot).

Step 2:

Add in the lemon juice, water, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

apples in crock pot

Step 3:

Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.

Step 4:

Blend with the immersion blender until it’s the desired consistency.  If it’s too thick, add water 1-2 tbsp at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 5:

Serve your crockpot applesauce with brown sugar either warm or cold!

How Long Does Homemade Applesauce Last?

Before storing the applesauce in your refrigerator or freezer, be sure it cools to room temperature. 
In the fridge, store in airtight containers for up to a week

In the freezer, store in freezer bags and freeze for 3 months.

What’s they key to loving your gluten free life? Take this quick quiz to get a personalized plan with the guide you need to thrive!

image of sharon mccaskill with computer with snag your ideal gluten free eating plan

>> Click here for your customized guide to success! <<

Save this brown sugar cinnamon applesauce recipe for later!

Be sure to pin this super easy recipe to your Crock Pot Recipes Pinterest board or add it to your Yummly recipe box so you can access it quick and easy whenever you’re ready to make it!

apples in crock pot

Homemade Brown Sugar Cinnamon Applesauce

This brown sugar cinnamon applesauce is a simple and easy healthy recipe made in the slow cooker.  It’s naturally gluten-free and vegan, and can also be customized to be refined sugar free or paleo.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Equipment

  • slow cooker
  • apple chopper
  • immersion blender

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lb apples
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar (or sugar substitute–see notes)
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions
 

  • Wash, chop, and core your apples (and toss them into the crock pot).
  • Add in the lemon juice, water, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
  • Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
  • Blend with the immersion blender until it’s the desired consistency.  If it’s too thick, add water 1-2 tbsp at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Notes

**If using a brown sugar substitute, I recommend one of the following 3:
Keyword apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, crock pot, gluten-free, paleo, refined sugar free, slow cooker, vegan, vegetarian
brown sugar applesauce pin 1

Looking for more gluten-free recipes?

Here are more recipes you will LOVE:

Easy Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Applesauce Recipe

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Recipe Rating




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Sandy L

Monday 22nd of February 2021

So easy and delicious! Won't be buying store bought apple sauce again!

thehelpfulgf

Wednesday 24th of February 2021

I know! I love it so much more than the store bought stuff.

Dee | Grammy's Grid

Saturday 30th of November 2019

Congrats! Your post is FEATURED at #AThemedLinkup 6 for All Things Christmas from my previous linkup for Thanksgiving Recipes!

thehelpfulgf

Friday 6th of December 2019

Awesome! Thank you for the feature

Dee | Grammy's Grid

Friday 22nd of November 2019

Sounds yummy!! Thanks so much for linking up at #AThemedLinkup 5 for Thanksgiving Recipes. Shared.

thehelpfulgf

Saturday 23rd of November 2019

thanks!

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