Prepare your apples by washing, peeling, and slicing them thinly. Add sliced apples and all other ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir, then cook on low heat for 6-10 hours.
8 apples, ¼ Tablespoon orange zest, 1½ Tablespoon orange juice, 1 teaspoon apple pie spice, ¼ cup brown sugar
Once done cooking, mash with a spoon for a slightly chunky sauce.
Alternatively, you can blend in a food processor for smooth applesauce.
Notes
Homemade applesauce takes about 6 hours on low heat to soften enough to mash into applesauce. However, you can leave them in the slow cooker for up to 10 hours. It will continue to cook and thicken slightly.
Don't cook the apples on high heat - you risk burning your apples or scorching the crockpot if you do.
You can mash the apples with a wooden spoon for chunky applesauce, or process them in a food processor for smooth.