Cozy Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Applesauce Recipe
This slow cooker pumpkin spice applesauce is a hands-free, comforting fall treat made with simple ingredients like apples, pumpkin puree, and pantry spices. Perfect for meal prep, it’s naturally sweetened and versatile enough to enjoy warm over pancakes, swirled into yogurt, or straight from the jar.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes to 7 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6–8 medium apples (about 3 pounds), peeled, cored, and chopped into 1-inch chunks (mix of sweet and tart varieties like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (100% pure, not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/2 cup apple cider or apple juice
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prep the apples: Wash, peel, and core the apples. Cut them into roughly 1-inch chunks.
- Combine everything in the slow cooker: Add the chopped apples, pumpkin puree, apple cider, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir until the apples are evenly coated.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Stir halfway through if possible.
- Check for doneness: The apples are ready when they are very soft and fall apart easily when pressed with a fork.
- Mash or blend to your preferred texture: Use an immersion blender for smooth applesauce or a potato masher for chunky texture.
- Taste and adjust: Add more sweetener or spice if desired.
- Cool and store: Let the applesauce cool to room temperature before transferring to jars or containers. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 6 months.
Notes
Don’t add extra liquid; apples release moisture as they cook. Use the low setting for deeper flavor. Let applesauce cool before blending to avoid steam explosions. Taste apples first to adjust sugar. Stir halfway through if possible. Make a double batch for freezing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 15
- Fat: 0.3
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 3.5
- Protein: 0.5
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