Go Back
–+ servings
A bowl of apple sauce with multiple apples in the background and some cinnamon sticks scattered around.
Print

Applesauce Recipe

This homemade Applesauce recipe is so easy to make and way tastier than store-bought! All you need are a few ingredients and you'll have this ready in no time.
Course condiment, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 cups
Calories 302kcal
Author John Kanell

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Blender or potato masher

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds apples peeled, cored, and quartered (I prefer a mix of Honeycrisp, Mcintosh, Golden Delicious, or Gala) (1.8kg)
  • ½ cup water (120ml)
  • ⅓ cup white sugar (or brown sugar) (66g)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)

Instructions

  • In a large pot, combine the apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon. Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
  • Cover and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the apples are very soft. Stir in the lemon juice. Remove from the heat.
  • Transfer the apple mixture to a blender or food processor. Remove the center of the lid and cover with a dishtowel. Process until blended to your desired consistency. (You can also mash the apples by hand with a potato masher for a chunkier apple sauce or use an immersion blender.) Let the applesauce cool completely before refrigerating in airtight containers. The applesauce can be refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months.

Notes

  • Applesauce is a great way to use up any apples that are starting to soften or if you have an abundance of fruit. I listed my favorites, but any type of apple you have on hand will work!
  • Flavor this recipe however you like! I love a little sprinkling of cardamom in mine, but apple pie spice, pumpkin spice, ginger, nutmeg, and clove are also great additions.
  • Don’t add too much sugar at once in the beginning. You do not want to oversweeten the applesauce accidentally.
  • Some varieties of apples tend to be more watery than others. If the apple mixture seems watery, you can drain some of the liquid before you blend or mash the mixture to avoid a runny applesauce.
  • Make sure you dice the apples as uniformly as possible, as it helps them cook evenly. Avoid large chunks as well, so they do not take too long to cook.
  • Double-check that you don’t leave any apple seeds when you core the apples. Apple seeds will lead to a bitter applesauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 494mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 64g | Vitamin A: 246IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg