Homemade Applesauce
A simple and natural recipe for making delicious applesauce from fresh apples.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pounds apples (about 8–10 medium), peeled, cored, and quartered
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
Instructions
- Place the prepared apples in a large pot.
- Add the water, sugar (if using), cinnamon, and lemon juice (if using) to the pot.
- Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the apples are very tender, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pot from the heat.
- Mash the apples with a potato masher for a chunky texture, or use an immersion blender or food processor for a smoother consistency.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or cinnamon if needed.
- Let the applesauce cool before serving or storing.
Notes
- For a sweeter applesauce, use sweeter apple varieties like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp. For a tarter sauce, use Granny Smith apples. A mix of varieties provides a complex flavor.
- You can omit the sugar for a naturally sweet applesauce.
- Store homemade applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg