Homemade Applesauce with Roland

One of my favorite childhood memories is baking and cooking with my Grandma. Those moments in her kitchen have stayed with me my whole life. It's a tradition I've tried to pass on to my own grandchild.

Over the past few months, Roland and I have spent countless afternoons baking cookies, cupcakes, and other sweet treats. But this week, I decided to share something different; one of my favorite classroom activities and something I used to do with my own kids: making homemade applesauce.

In the past, this activity always followed a field trip to one of Michigan's many apple orchards. But this time, the inspiration struck in the produce aisle at Kroger. I spotted a bag of shiny apples and thought, Roland would love this.

Back at home, I plopped the apples onto the counter—gently, so they wouldn't bruise—and said, "Roland, wash your hands. Today we're making applesauce." He handled the cutting, and I took care of the peeling. Of course, we "tested" a few slices along the way.

As the apples simmered in the crockpot, the warm, sweet aroma filled the house. By the time they were ready to mash and taste, Roland was practically bouncing with excitement. And when we finally sat down with our bowls, the look on his face said it all. He must have approved because he polished off three servings in a row.

Some recipes feed the stomach, but others feed the soul. For me, this one does both.

If you have never made applesauce before, here is my quick and tasty recipe:

Ingredients:

• 8–10 apples (your choice—Gala, Honeycrisp, or a mix)

• ½ C brown sugar

• ½ C white sugar

• 1 t cinnamon

• 1 C water

Directions:

1. Peel, core, and slice the apples.

2. Place apples in the crockpot.

3. Add brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, and water.

4. Stir gently to combine.

5. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours, until apples are soft and fragrant.

6. Mash with a potato masher for chunky applesauce or blend for a smoother texture.

7. Serve warm or refrigerate for later 

Tip: Taste as you go—some apples are naturally sweeter, so you may want to adjust the sugar.