Description
Homemade applesauce is incredibly easy and quick to make, nutritious, and tasty! It’s a one pot recipe that requires just two ingredients and can be made in less than 20 minutes!
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 pounds ripe apples (about 8 apples), any variety, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/2 cup water
- 1–2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional, see notes)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional, see notes)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional, see notes)
Instructions
- Place prepared apples and water (and sugar and spices, if using) in a large pot with a fitted lid and cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until the apples are very soft.
- Once the apples are cooked through, remove the pot from the heat. Use a wire potato masher to mash the cooked apples in the pot to make a chunky applesauce. For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender, food processor, blender, or food mill to blend and puree.
- Adjust the sugar, spices, and consistency as needed (see notes). Enjoy warm or cold!
Notes
How to make pink applesauce: Use red apples and leave the skin on. Once the apples have cooked, run the apples through a food mill or strain the apples to remove any fibers. Now you have pink applesauce!
Sweetened applesauce: If you prefer a sweeter applesauce, especially if using tart or tangy apples, sweeten the applesauce with either brown sugar, white sugar, maple syrup, or honey. Start with one tablespoon at a time and sweeten as needed.
Spiced applesauce: I enjoy adding a little cinnamon and nutmeg to my applesauce but allspice, ground ginger, or a combination of any of these spices would be tasty too! Some people enjoy adding a little bit of vanilla extract and even butter to their applesauce. You can also add a little fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to brighten the flavor. It really just depends on what type of apples you are using and what your own taste preferences are so experiment and have fun with it!
- Category: Snack
- Method: Simmer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
