Apples sometimes get pigeonholed as good for only pies or crisps, but pure and simple applesauce is a dish that we love and want to remind everybody of! Don’t get us wrong– apple pie is one of our favorites, but sometimes applesauce just hits the spot without the need for any fuss (in the form of a crust or topping). It’s a perfect afternoon snack or a great side to go with a simple lunch, but we absolutely love it served alongside some pork chops at dinner. And, as far as we’re concerned, it’s one of the best ways to use up an abundance of apples, so if you have an apple tree or if you’re planning some apple picking on the fall, definitely put this recipe on your to-do list.

This is a super family-friendly recipe where you can all pitch in throwing the different ingredients into the crock pot (delegate the slicing to the older ones or buy a corer/slicer to make things really easy). Then let the cooker do its thing you’ll have fresh, amazing applesauce in just a few hours! It’s so easy that there’s no reason you can’t always have some on hand in the fridge. Homemade is always better than the jarred stuff, and this is no exception.