It’s apple season here in Michigan, and I couldn’t be happier. Move over everything pumpkin spice, this has been the year for all things apple! After a rough apple crop last year, I’m so happy to see apples a-plenty growing in abundance here and helping all of our wonderful orchards and cider mills stay in business.
Our favorite local orchard to go to for picking apples is Spicer Orchards in Fenton, Michigan {about 15 minutes south of Flint}. Not only is in scenic, but there is TONS to do for kiddos {playground, huge sandbox, corn barn, tractors, etc.}, which makes it a big draw for us. We make sure to go several times throughout the season for outdoor fun, fresh donuts, apple cider and apple picking.
A few weeks back, we trekked out for apples. I love apple picking because it’s easy to do with small kids in tow because it’s relatively quick. Also, I like being able to choose what size apples we grab — the small ones are perfect for kids so they don’t waste! On this day, we picked a peck, which was $11 for the bag. To me, that’s pretty reasonable since we were able to squeeze a ton of apples into our bag. We picked mostly Gala apples, one of my favorites, along with some Mollies Delicious.
Check out this infographic full of all things apple in Michigan, courtesy of the Michigan Apples Committee. I love the stats in here!
Michigan sure rocks apples, huh? Woot.
We’re doing a fair amount of eating the apples, but of course I had to make my easy apple crisp and a big batch of applesauce. I’ve had a lot of requests to share my crock pot applesauce recipe, so here it is! I love using a combo of apple varieties, but the more mild/dessert-like apples make the best applesauce in my opinion! My favorites to use are Gala, Honeycrisp and McIntosh.
CROCKPOT APPLESAUCE INGREDIENTS
- 15 small/medium-sized apples, peeled, cored and sliced. For quickness sake, I put in larger chunks and just break them up as they cook. Smaller pieces will break-down faster.
- 2 + 1/4 cups of water
- 3/4 cups of sugar {use your discretion — this much sugar makes it sweet, but delicious!}
- 1 +1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon
I love my IKEA apple slicer! Inexpensive and works perfect.
DIRECTIONS
Place your apples and in the bottom of your crockpot. Cover apples with all other ingredients.
Cook on low for approximately 4 hours or until apples easily fall apart. The smell this makes in your home must be what heaven smells like. Seriously.
Let applesauce cool and store in an airtight containers in the fridge until serving.
ENJOY! We usually go through this in a few days with four of us snacking on it.
What are your favorite variety of Michigan apples?
We love going to apple orchards! I will definitely have to save this recipe, my boys love applesauce.
I’m not a huge applesauce fan, but I had some with potato pancakes in Hamtramck a few weeks ago and it was yummy. And I’ve heard of Spicer’s but have never been :).
Gah! LOVE it on potato pancakes. I need to go to Polonia or Polish Village stat!
That was it – Polonia. I looked at their menu + Polish Village’s. Did you ever go to the Polish restaurant in Troy, I think Wawel or Wavel? I have a Restaurant.com thing for it so I’m hoping to go at some point.
I never did go because they had really odd hours from what I recall, but I’ve heard it’s good and authentic 🙂
I love homemade applesauce!! Yummy recipe!!
Yummy!! I can’t wait to make homemade applesauce and go apple picking with the family!
Mmmmm that looks so good! Hooray for apple season!
I would have thought that Michigan would be the #1 apple producing state. Either way I do love some apple sauce!
I know! Darn Washington and NY for stealing our thunder! Still, we should be proud 😉
My kids are so into applesauce. I need to make this… and a few other apple recipes. We love apples here:)
I’ve actually never been to an apple orchard before. My family went last week but Zach was sick so we had to sit it out. I’m planning on taking him when he’s better while the weather is still nice. I love that you made applesauce, so delicious!
This looks totally delicious!! I’ve been wanting to try my hand at an original recipe for applesauce using my crockpot. Thanks for the recipe I will be giving it a try.