Unsweetened Crock Pot Applesauce - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 granny smith apples or 3 other tart apples, cored and chopped into chunks
3 fuji apples, cored and chopped into chunks
3 mcintosh apples, cored and chopped into chunks
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 lemon, zest of
1 -2 cup organic no-sugar-added cranberry juice
1/2 vanilla bean
1 star anise (optional)

Preparation

Put all ingredients in crock pot, using 1 c cranberry juice if you prefer a thicker sauce, 1 1/2 c if you like a thinner sauce.
Stir to coat.
Cook on low for 7 hours or high for 3 hours.
Check consistency of applesauce, adding more cranberry juice if too thick.
Mash apple chunks with potato masher to desired texture, leaving it as chunky as you like.
Taste for preferred tartness or sweetness, adding any sugar, honey or sugar substitute for your tastes.
Cook on low for 1 to 2 more hours.
Remove vanilla bean and star anise.
Vanilla bean can be rinsed and kept for a few more similar uses.
Serve warm or cold.
Can be easily frozen and can be used when substituting for oil in reducing fat in some recipes.