This homemade applesauce recipe is so quick and easy to make, and tastes absolutely amazing! I love that it’s made with just 4 simple ingredients (apples, apple cider, brown sugar, and cinnamon) and no nasty additives. Plus, I can make it as chunky or as smooth as my kids like, which has been changing almost daily lately!
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I don’t know why I never thought of making homemade applesauce before. I’ve been buying the store-bought stuff for so long that it’s almost automatic for me to grab a couple of jars every time I go to the store. It’s so much cheaper to buy a big bag of apples and make it myself, though, and it tastes so much better!
What’s in This Homemade Applesauce Recipe?
- Apples: You’ll need 4 pounds of apples for this recipe. Choose an apple variety that works well in cooking recipes. Try fuji, granny smith, or gala. Removing the peels results in a smoother sauce.
- Apple Cider: Make sure to use apple cider, and not apple cider vinegar!
- Sugar: Brown sugar adds a rich sweetness. The sweeter the apples are, the less sugar you will need.
- Cinnamon: A whole cinnamon stick infuses this applesauce with warmth.
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Tips for Success
- Make sure to use perfectly ripe apples for the best texture.
- Cook the apples over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. A gentle simmer ensures even cooking.
- For a smoother applesauce, transfer the mixture to a food processor and process until smooth.
- Taste the sauce as you go. You can add more sweetener or spices if needed.
- To prevent oxidation/browning, mix in 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the finished sauce.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover homemade applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Enjoy chilled, room temperature, or slightly warmed.
Freeze applesauce in small portions in airtight containers or Ziplock bags for up to 6 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade applesauce recipe is so versatile, and it’s one of my favorite ways to use up apples. It swirls seamlessly into oatmeal, replaces oil in your favorite chocolate chip cookies, and adds a hint of sweetness to potato pancakes or pork chops. And it’s one of the best side dishes to serve with kids’ lunches or dinners–they always love it!
Homemade Applesauce Recipe
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Ingredients
- 4 pounds apples peeled, cored, and cubed
- 1 cup apple cider — not apple cider vinegar!
- ¼-½ cup brown sugar
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a pot and bring it to a simmer.4 pounds apples, 1 cup apple cider, ¼-½ cup brown sugar, 1 whole cinnamon stick
- Cook, stirring occasionally until the apples are fork tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Discard the cinnamon stick and use a potato masher to mash the applesauce to your desired consistency.
- Serve warm or refrigerate before serving.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
Nutrition Information
How to Make Applesauce Step by Step
Simmer the Apples: Add 4 pounds of peeled, cored, and cubed apples; 1 cup of apple cider (not apple cider vinegar!); ¼-½ cup of brown sugar (adjust to your personal tastes); and 1 whole cinnamon stick to a large pot. Bring the pot to a simmer over medium-low heat.
Cook to Tender: Cook, stirring occasionally until the apples are fork tender, about 15-20 minutes.
Mash the Sauce: Discard the cinnamon stick and use a potato masher to mash the applesauce to your desired consistency. Serve warm or refrigerate before serving.
Yes! Homemade applesauce is low in calories, fat-free, and a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Although any kind of apple will work, I recommend you choose an apple variety that works well in cooking recipes, like fuji, granny smith, or gala.
For this recipe, we used 4 pounds of apples. This will yield about 2 quarts of applesauce.
Peeling the apples helps create a smoother sauce, since the peels are tougher and take longer to break down than the flesh.
Yes! As you prep the apples, remove any seeds you come across, since they can add an unpleasant flavor to the final sauce.
Time is your friend here. The longer you cook the applesauce, the thicker it will become. But if you’re feeling impatient, you can add a few spoons of flour or cornstarch to thicken it up more quickly.
If you use overly ripe fruit, it can cause your applesauce to turn out grainy. Make sure to use perfectly ripe apples for the best texture.
There are enzymes in apples that cause oxidation when they are exposed to air. This oxidation is what causes the sauce to turn brown. To prevent this, mix in 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the finished sauce.
