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I am not saying the store-bought stuff is nearly as good as the homemade version…just more convenient of course. Let’s just say that my husband and I do not regularly consume the little store-bought containers of applesauce, but all four of us fight over the last few drops if it is homemade! Plus making it yourself can be a fun activity (especially with kids), and luckily you can freeze the leftovers.
It is especially quick and easy to make this dish at home if you have a handy dandy apple slicer that will cut out the core and cut the rest into pieces. You can find these inexpensive tools at most grocery stores (or Target), and they will easily cut your prep time in half. Not to mention they come in handy for just slicing apples for a snack (or even pears too!).
Easy Peasy Applesauce
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine the apples, apple juice/cider, lemon juice, and cinnamon stick (if using) into a large pot. Cover and simmer for 20 – 25 minutes or until tender (but not mushy).
- Remove the cinnamon stick (if using) and transfer warm apple mixture to a food processor (or you can mash by hand with a potato masher) and add honey (if using) and nutmeg. Puree to desired chunkiness. Serve, refrigerate, or freeze the leftovers!
Everyone enjoyed this recipe! Even though I forgot the apple cider and used 1 cup of water instead, it turned out great. Can the recipe be doubled? I have a bunch of apples I need to do something with before they go bad and end up goat food!
Thanks!
Renee
Of course! It’s a great way to use them all up. – Nicole
Do you have to cook the apples? I’ve made “emergency” apple sauce in the past by literally throwing apples into the blend tec with a bit of cinnamon. But it wasn’t to put away or freeze, it was to eat right then. I mean- why bother having pork chops if you don’t have apple sauce? Is the cooking so that it can be stored or frozen? Either way, I plan to try this recipe! Also- didn’t realize you were in NC. I’m in Chapel Hill!
Yes, apple sauce is typically made with cooked. apples.
I core my apples, chop into large chunks and put them in the food processor to a large dice before I cook them. Then when they’re cooked, their done!
Ok, so I did this recipe in the crockpot! I doubled the recipe and cooked it on high for 4 hours. It turned out great!
I wonder if I could do this in a crock pot?
I am wondering the same thing!
Thanks for this recipe!! Can I use water instead of apple juice?
Hi. You can. The muffin will likely be less moist and sweet.
Thank you for responding! =D
Hi Lisa, thanks for this recipe, I’m making it right now for my son who has not been well and needs some home made organic apple sauce for his tummy.
I don’t know if you know this but there is an add “banner” for McDonalds on this page of your blog. I am a bit surprised to see it here.
This is a PERFECT recipe! Tastes fantastic! Thanks.
Just made this and it is so yummy! I accidentally added the honey before simmering and it turned out fine. My kids love this recipe too.
I am making the Easy Peasy Applesauce today (LOVE this website!) but it doesn’t say to take the cinnamon stick out before turning the food proccesor on. I’m assuming I take it out?? I’ve never used a cinnamon stick before…wasn’t sure?
Hi Debbie. Yes, remove the stick. The apples will have already absorbed the flavor. :)
Hi Debbie – I just updated the recipe to make this more clear. – Jason
I have made applesauce for years but this is the first time I used lemon juice and apple cider vinegar. It is a little too acidic tasting for me…any ideas on how to change that taste/flavor?
Oh, the recipe said apple cider or apple juice, not apple cider vinegar. ;) I bet it WAS acidic with the vinegar!
Pays to read a recipe a few times before you cook it. I had made another batch my old way and ended up mixing both together and it tastes fine!
This applesauce looks yummy! I usually make a much simpler homemade applesauce in the slow cooker for my 2 year old and he loves it! I use 3 sweet apples, 3 Granny Smith apples, a teaspoon of cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, and a tablespoon of water. That’s it! It’s delicious without the added sugar (honey, etc.)!
Fantastic – we used local, organic honeycrisp apples and this will be a yearly fall routine going forward! Thank you!
I absolutely love the fact that if I want to make something specific 9 times out of 10 I can go to this blog and can find a recipe for whatever it is I wish to make. Another huge bonus as a busy mom is I normally have the dry Ingredients on hand. It’s terrific.
We love unsweetened applesauce for eating and baking but also making seasonal apple butter. I love this recipe because we can multiple it and follow it easily without adding the honey and spices. Then puree, spilt in half freeze the unsweetened portions (to be flavored however later) then add the apple butter portion back to the pot. We spice it accordingly, simmer low for an hour and then freeze. If doing this though make sure you strain the cooking juice but don’t discard before processing/mashing. Apple butter should be thicker in consistency then applesauce and I like to add juice back as needed. 1 pot and 1 mess to clean up but two different products.
Jocelyn, What is your apple butter recipe?
I just picked up 25# of an apple called No Name from one of our local farms (its a hybrid they created…hence the name No Name lol)I’m going to try out the crock pot way tomorrow so I can focus on getting my homework done while it cooks.
Could this be made in a crockpot?
Hi Lindsay. I’m sure it can. Here is another recipe to use as a reference for cooking times and such (not sweetener recommendations): http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/10/crock-pot-applesauce.html. :) ~Amy
Mmmm, I will have to try this with all the pears coming from my tree right now!
I typically freeze and can applesauce. Would this be a recipe that I could also can? Or would you not recommend it? Thank you for any insight.
Loved this recipe! Check out my blog at http://healthyandhappywellness.blogspot.com :)
cool blog, lots of good ideas. I really liked the natural beauty treatments. Thanks!!
Can I use water instead of cider or apple juice?
Hi Tammy. It will reduce the sweetness but yes you could. ~Amy
If I don’t have a food processor, can I just use the blender, as for other recipes as well?
Hi Antoinette. A heavy duty blender will work for some but not all. It should easily process apples. ~Amy
Can I use ground cinnamon instead of a stick or would you advise leaving out the cinnamon if I do not have a stick of cinnamon? If it will work just as well with ground cinnamon, how much would you recommend?
Thanks!
Hi Callie. You can use ground cinnamon. Add it, to taste, after the cooking process. :) ~Amy
When I made this it turned really brown. Is that normal?
Hi Andrea. The lemon juice typically keeps the apples from turning terribly brown. The picture above is the color I typically get. Different apples, however, oxidize at different rates. ~Amy
This is so simple and the kids loved it. This recipe is a keeper.
I used to love helping my mom make applesauce and now I enjoy doing it myself! We just quarter the apples, core and all, and drop them in a big pot with maybe a cup of water. Then we cook up until soft, and run them through an old fashioned Foley Food Mill. Keeps the skins and seeds up top, but lets all the fresh cooked sauce through the bottom. It turns bright pink and we’re only left with a little waste! So tasty! Mom makes enough every fall to freeze and last the entire year!
What do you freeze the applesauce in? TIA
Just made for the first time today and turned out great!! Thanks for all your hard work, this site has really helped me make changes in my family’s eating habits!
Just made this and it is great. Will double or triple the receipe next time.
I juiced the cores instead of using bottled apple juice. It came out great!