Applesauce is a comfort food that use to be considered a common type of mush. Today, over one hundred years later, applesauce is considered to be one of the healthiest desserts to still be served during school lunch. Not only is this the best homemade applesauce recipe nutritious and delicious, it is also very simple to make at home.
How to make healthy homemade applesauce
Learning how to turn an apple or apples into delicious applesauce is as simple as adding an apple or two to some simmering water. Allow the apple(s) to simmer until thoroughly softened. Making applesauce is literally that simple. No sugar or other additives are necessary for this wholesomely nutritious dessert. Even grip-rolling an apple over a hard surface or from hand to hand can soften an apple to provide an applesauce result.
Apple sauce in the crockpot
A crock-pot is a wonderful appliance for simmering apples throughout the day. Add a layer or two of whole apples and enough water to cover the apples. When the apples are completely softened, gently slice the apple or apples through the center and add a little margarine or butter to top off the hot applesauce for a sweet, rich, and creamy flavour. The peel will help to keep the applesauce in place while leaving the apple core and seeds in a semi-firm condition.
Whole apples that have been simmered to create applesauce can be placed in the refrigerator for future servings. The apple stays juicy and the flavor sweet while encapsulated in its peel. When baking precooked or fresh apples, be sure to add a fourth to a half cup of water and tightly cover the apples so they do not dry out.
When making applesauce in pure mush form, peel and core the apples before simmering. Slicing the apples into sections before simmering will result in a complete applesauce mush. Thinly sliced apples will cook more quickly and require less water to keep them hydrated. Should the apples produce too much liquid, pour off the excess fluid and continue to simmer, cook, or bake uncovered until the desired consistency is achieved. Stir occasionally to check for consistency.
Homemade cinnamon applesauce recipe
To add enhanced flavouring to applesauce, adding a touch of cinnamon can produce a wonderful flavour as well as cooking aroma. During the holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, simmering whole apples in a pot of water with 1/2 a tsp of cinnamon and a few cloves, not only provides wonderful aromas indoors, but also provides necessary humidity when the air is dry.
Applesauce recipe for freezing
Applesauce can be frozen. It freezes beautifully. Applesauce can be frozen in the individual compartments of ice cube trays and then popped into storage bags. These cubes can be placed in lunches frozen and will defrost during the course of the day. The defrosted applesauce cubes can also be added to oatmeal or added to the juice in a fruit salad for more natural flavor. The defrosted applesauce can also be warmed in a microwave, if desired.
What can I make with applesauce?
When apples are abundant, it is the perfect time to make applesauce. Applesauce is a side dish and perfect to accompany any meal. It is also a nice addition to breakfast especially served with oatmeal. Homemade applesauce can also be used in recipes calling for applesauce such as applesauce cake or applesauce bread. Applesauce in recipes is usually the strained variety. If preparing applesauce ahead for a recipe, check to see if the applesauce is sweetened or unsweetened. If the recipe calls for unsweetened applesauce, eliminate the sugar in the preparation of the applesauce.
Best Homemade Applesauce Recipe
Homemade applesauce is one of the easiest recipes to prepare for any cook. There are very few ingredients and the instructions are simple. They can be varied to suit anyone’s tastes. After trying homemade applesauce, the canned brands will not seem as good.
Ingredients for Applesauce
- 2 pounds Macintosh or Cortland apples (about 4-5 apples depending on the size)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup white sugar(can substitute half of the white sugar with brown sugar)
- 1/8 to 1/4 cup of water.
- Optional ingredients: cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, allspice to taste, or Red cinnamon candies (15 to 20).
How do you make homemade applesauce
Peel apples if skins are blemished or tough. Core and cut the apples into quarters and place in a medium sized sauce pan with a lid. Add 1/8 cup of water, reserving the rest if apples become dry. If desired, add cinnamon candies at this time to make the applesauce pink.
Bring the mixture to a boil and turn the heat to low – simmer for approximately 1/2 hour until apples are tender.
Strain apples through a wire mesh strainer into a medium sized bowl. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar to the warm mixture. It is important to add the sugar when the apples are warm so that it thoroughly dissolves. Taste and adjust sugar to personal taste, adding more sugar, if necessary.
Let mixture sit covered until it reaches room temperature.
Note: If not eaten, it should be refrigerated. Mixture will thicken once it is refrigerated.
Applesauce Variations
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon can be added to the apples when boiling, if desired.
- Brown sugar can also replace the white sugar or a 50/50 mixture can be prepared.
- If a chunkier applesauce is desired, do not strain the apples but mash them with a fork; however, if the apples are not going to be strained, it is preferable to peel them prior to cooking.
I hope you enjoyed this recipe for homemade applesauce as much as my family and I did. If you make it, make sure to share with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes.
Best Homemade Applesauce Recipe
Equipment
- Medium sized sauce pan with a lid
- Wire mesh strainer
- Peeler/Knife
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Mcintosh or Cortland apples about 4-5 apples depending on the size
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup white sugar can substitute half of the white sugar with brown sugar
- 1/8 to 1/4 cup of water.
- Optional ingredients: cinnamon nutmeg, maple syrup, allspice to taste or Red cinnamon candies (15 to 20).
Instructions
- Peel apples if skins are blemished or tough, core and cut the apples into quarters and place in a medium sized sauce pan with a lid.
- Add 1/8 cup of water, reserving the rest if apples become dry.
- If desired add cinnamon candies at this time to make the applesauce pink.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and turn the heat to low – simmer for approximately 1/2 hour until apples are tender.
- Strain apples through a wire mesh strainer into a medium sized bowl.
- Add 1/4 cup of the sugar to the warm mixture. It is important to add the sugar when the apples are warm so that it thoroughly desolves. Taste and adjust sugar to personal taste, adding more sugar, if necessary.
- Let mixture sit covered until it reaches room temperature.
- If not eaten, it should be refrigerated. Mixture will thicken once it is refrigerated.
Notes
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon can be added to the apples when boiling, if desired.
- Brown sugar can also replace the white sugar or a 50/50 mixture can be prepared.
- If a chunkier applesauce is desired, do not strain the apples but mash them with a fork.
- However, if the apples are not going to be strained, it is preferable to peel them prior to cooking.
I would like to make this recipe with the kids because it is easy and healthy
I would like to make this with the grandkids because it looks good and healthy too.
I love applesauce and liked the idea of freezing in the ice cube trays and using in a fruit salad . I also never thought of using the lemon juice. I have used it in my apple crisp before especially if my apples are older. It spruces up the flavour.Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure and hope you like it!
I like the twist of adding the cinnamon candies to make it a bit pink, thank you for sharing.
Thank you! It’s been years since I made apple sauce at home…..but it’s SO much better!
I absolutely love applesauce, and this looks delicious!
It’s been quite a long time since I’ve made applesauce. This recipe looks delicious.