Am. Applesauce W/English Mixed Spice Inspired by a French Tart

I made a batch of this mixture recently: Mixed Spice - Traditional Old Fashioned English Pudding Spice and decided to try it in applesauce. Mmmm! Family-approved!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Yields: 6 cups

Ingredients

• 6 -8  apples, variety (I leave them unpeeled-your choice)
• 1  tablespoon sugar, to taste (honey, agave nectar, raw sugar, etc.)
• 3⁄4 teaspoon  english mixed spice
• 1  pinch salt
• 1⁄2 tablespoon lemon juice (can sub orange, tangerine, etc.)
• 1  cup  unsweetened apple juice or 1  cup water or 1  cup  white grape juice

Directions

1. Notes: I added one half teaspoon of whole juniper berries to the spice blend. Slow cooker directions are also given below. If using store bought apples, scrub and rinse well to remove the wax coating. I don't usually peel the apples due to laziness. Add sugar only if you feel it is necessary and/or the apples are older.
2. In a pot large enough to accommodate, place cored and stemmed apples and the remaining ingredients.
3. Cover and bring to the boil.
4. Lower heat to simmer and cook until apples are soft enough to puree approximately 20-25 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly. Pour off and reserve about half of the cooking liquid.
5. Transfer the applesauce to a blender, (or use an immersion blender) and puree to desired consistency-adding the reserve cooking liquid to preferred thickness. Taste. Adjust spices if necessary.
6. Serve warm or cold.
7. ~Tasty~ likes her applesauce with a dollop of plain yogurt. Hubby and my servings are delicious served over cottage cheese.
8. Slow Cooker directions: add all ingredients to the slow cooker in order written above. Cover and cook on LOW for about 6 hours or HIGH about 4 hours or until apples are soft enough to puree.
9. Yield is estimated depending on the size of the apples.