How does your garden grow? Part 27: Apples apples apples!

I went apple picking with my dad the other day and now it is time for all things apples. Mmm. First up is my crock pot (slow cooker) apple sauce recipe.

Crock Pot Applesauce

Go get it:

15 to 20 medium sized firm apples in sweet varieties. I like Golden Delicious, Cortland, Gala, Empire and Connell Red. This ensures a nice consistency and sweetness to your sauce.

Sugar or Splenda to taste (not always needed)

cinnamon to taste

water or apple juice

Go make it:

1. If using a food mill you will not have to core or peel your apples. Just cut into chunks and place into crock pot. The food mill will catch all your seeds and stuff you aren't going to want in your sauce. A food mill will create a very smooth consistency so if chunky is your thing you may want to take the long road. You will need to core, peel and cut up apples prior to putting them in the crock pot.
2. Add cinnamon (I like a lot so I use 1 tablespoon) and sugar/Splenda (I like only a little so I use about 1/4 cup or less). Mix well so the apples are coated. Some like to add cinnamon toward the end of the cook time because they feel the cinnamon loses it's potency. I'll let you decide.
3. Add about 1/4 cup of water or apple juice.
4. Turn crock pot to low and cook for anywhere between 5-8 hours depending on how big or small you cut up your apples. Check their doneness every so often just to be safe.
5. When sauce is ready to your liking, mash with a spoon or potato smasher (only if you peeled and cored apples first) to get a chunky consistency. Use an emulsion blender (only with peeled and cored apples) for a smooth consistency or a food mill. If using a food mill just run the sauce through the food mill while it sits on top of  a bowl to catch the sauce. Get rid of the peels and seeds every so often.
6. Place applesauce into containers of choice and freeze. Also can be processed in a hot water bath. Process 15 minutes for pints and 20 minutes for quarts. Make sure jars have sealed. Any unsealed jars need to be refrigerated. Enjoy!

I make this applesauce every year. Have fun with it. Try fun additions like maple syrup or other spices.


Nana's Apple Cake (Thanks Copykat Recipes and a big shout out to Stephanie!)

Go get it:

1/2 cup shortening


2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg or mace

1 tsp. ginger

6 cups peeled, diced tart apples
 
Go make it:
 
Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and add to mixture. Stir in apples. Spoon into greased 11 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. Cook time may vary so really check the doneness before removing from oven. Recipe may be cut in half and cooked in an 8x8 pan. This is amazing all by itself, but even better served warm with some vanilla bean ice cream.
 
I would love to hear any of your go to recipes for apples. I love apple anything and everything. It really is Fall when I bust out the apple recipes. I might as well enjoy it.