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Description
Savor the warm, comforting taste of homemade applesauce with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla. This beginner-friendly recipe allows you to customize the sweetness, offering a wholesome alternative to store-bought options. The blend of McIntosh, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Jonathan apples creates a perfectly balanced flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 pounds apples (combination of McIntosh, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Jonathan)
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Begin by peeling and coring the apples, then chop them into small pieces. Transfer the diced apples into a large saucepan or pot.
- Pour in the water, add the lemon juice, and include the cinnamon stick. Cover the pot and heat until it reaches a boil over high heat.
- Lower the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples become tender.
- Take out the cinnamon stick and blend the mixture using a blender, food processor, or immersion blender. Blend until you achieve a smooth consistency or leave some chunks based on your preference.
- For a sweeter applesauce, return the blended mixture to the pot and mix in the brown sugar. Cook uncovered on low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens. For a richer flavor, incorporate the butter, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract until the butter is fully melted.
- Enjoy the applesauce warm or chilled. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze in airtight containers for up to 6 months.
Notes
TECHNIQUE TIP: Use a variety of apples like McIntosh and Granny Smith for a balanced flavor of tart and sweet.
STORAGE: Store the applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week for optimal freshness.
SUBSTITUTION: Substitute brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different level of sweetness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 227 kcal
- Sugar: 43 g
- Sodium: 31 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg
