Homemade Applesauce

I found a recipe awhile ago on Pinterest and "re-created" my own version. It was a lot of fun making this and I hope you'll try it out and love it just as much! Since becoming a mom, I have really tuned in to my crafty and cooking side and it's been so fun. Pinterest is sometimes looked down on for making some people feel like they need to be the "perfect" person who cooks, cleans and makes everything homemade. I love it because it is so full of amazing tricks, ideas and organization that I absolutely love and, quite honestly, it's an amazing tool for me to LEARN. I'm still new to the whole "Married/Mom" thing so I have a blast reading about recipes, cleaning, home life, and all things baby. I enjoy it, so with that being said, here's the recipe!

What you'll need: 

• 4 or 5 apples of your choice. I used Honey Crisp Apples (SO good)
• Brown Sugar
• Cinnamon and Cinnamon Stick
• Apple Cider Tea or Water
• Fresh Lemon Juice

1. First peel your apples and get as much of the peel off as possible.

2. Put all the left over slices and a cinnamon stick into a pot of water and let simmer in your home for an amazing fresh scent! I cracked open the windows and listened to Christmas music while making this!

3. Using an apple slicer, cut up all the apples and then I even cut each of the slices in half.

4. I used my tiny crock pot and just shoved all the apple pieces in side with ONE TABLESPOON of cinnamon and TWO TABLESPOONS of brown sugar. I squeezed just a bit of fresh lemon juice over all of it and poured in a half a cup of apple cider tea (water works just fine).  Lastly, place a cinnamon stick on top, cover and let cook on high for about 5 or 6 hours. 

5. While you wait, eat a veggie salad and drink some delicious apple cider tea in your adorable mason jar cup that your best friend bought you while your baby naps! Okay...so you don't HAVE to do this part ;)

5. After 5 hours this is what mine looked like. Originally I used a cup of tea but that was too much so that's why i suggest a half cup. The apples will soak in a lot of fluid! I ended up draining all this extra juice out and drinking it. It was delicious. It was like creamy apple pie cider...I don't even know what to call it but it was yummy!

6. Using a fork I just mashed up the apples and it created a nice smooth chunky finish. Looking back I would stop here and just serve like this or mashed a little bit more. I made the mistake of using a  blender and it came out like baby food texture which is not what I was going for at all! Sad. I tried again though and left it at this and it was much better. Plus I got the stamp of approval from David and Gracelyn...yay! My mom was even impressed. It's so easy and yummy plus your home will smell heavenly all day. :)

And of course I forgot to take pictures of us eating it! Anyway, hope you enjoyed this. I'm hoping to do more recipes as I continue learning in the kitchen! :)