Homemade Applesauce
Making homemade apple sauce is easy and only requires a few ingredients. This Applesauce recipe, besides being a great way to use up any apples you may have lying around, is also easily adaptable to your taste - add more sugar if you like it sweeter, or add a dash of your favorite warm spice for extra flavor.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Tart apples such as Granny Smith apples
- 3 pounds sweet red apples , such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or golden delicious
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter , cut into ¼-inch chunks, optional
- ½ cup light or dark brown sugar , packed or granulated sugar. (You can use maple syrup or honey as substitutes. For unsweetened applesauce, use less sugar or remove the sugar altogether.)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup apple cider , optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the juice of the lemon in a large bowl. Peel, quarter, and core the apples. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon and toss them until combined. Pour the apple mixture into a 9x13-inch nonreactive baking dish. Pour the apple cider into the baking dish if using. Scatter the chunks of butter evenly over the top. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until all the apples are soft.
- Alternatively, you can place all the ingredients into a large pot, set the stove to high heat, and stir the apples for a few minutes. As the mixture heats up and boils, cover the pot and let it cook on medium heat for 25 to 30 minutes or until tender.
- Mash or blend the apples until you reach your desired consistency. Use a potato masher or fork to break the cooked apples up by hand for chunky applesauce. For smoother applesauce, blend the cooked apples in a food processor, food mill, or immersion blender.
Notes
How to Store
To store your homemade applesauce, allow it to cool to room temperature first. Once cooled, transfer the applesauce into an airtight container or glass jar. Seal the container tightly to prevent air exposure. You can store the applesauce in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. If you want to extend its shelf life further, consider freezing it. To freeze, portion the applesauce into freezer-safe containers or resealable plastic bags, leaving some space for expansion. Seal well and label with the date. Frozen applesauce can be stored for up to 6 months.
Make Ahead
You can easily make your applesauce ahead of time by preparing a larger batch and storing it in the refrigerator or freezer. After cooking and blending the apples, let the applesauce cool to room temperature. Portion it into airtight containers or freezer-safe bags, leaving some space for expansion if freezing. Seal well and store in the refrigerator for 5-7 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
When ready to use it, thaw frozen applesauce in the refrigerator overnight or gently reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave if desired. This make-ahead approach simplifies meal planning and allows you to enjoy homemade applesauce whenever possible.
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Applesauce
Amount per Serving
Calories
180
% Daily Value*
Fat
4
g
6
%
Saturated Fat
2
g
13
%
Trans Fat
0.2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
1
g
Cholesterol
10
mg
3
%
Sodium
5
mg
0
%
Potassium
263
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
39
g
13
%
Fiber
6
g
25
%
Sugar
30
g
33
%
Protein
1
g
2
%
Vitamin A
240
IU
5
%
Vitamin C
11
mg
13
%
Calcium
22
mg
2
%
Iron
0.3
mg
2
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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