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Easy Homemade Applesauce

A close-up of a white bowl filled with chunky, homemade applesauce, sprinkled with cinnamon.

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A simple recipe for making delicious, all-natural applesauce from scratch. Perfect for a wholesome treat or baby food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds apples (about 67 medium), such as Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash, peel, core, and chop the apples into roughly 1-inch pieces. You can leave the peels on if you prefer a more rustic texture and added nutrients, but you will need to strain them out later.
  2. Combine the chopped apples, water, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using) in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add lemon juice if you want to prevent browning and add a touch of brightness.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-25 minutes, or until the apples are very tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  4. Once the apples are soft, remove the pot from the heat. If you left the peels on, you can strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the solids to extract the liquid. Discard the solids.
  5. For a smooth applesauce, use an immersion blender or transfer the mixture to a regular blender and blend until smooth. For a chunkier texture, mash the apples with a potato masher or fork.
  6. Taste and adjust sweetness or spices as needed.
  7. Serve warm or chilled. Store any leftover applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use a mix of apple varieties.
  • If you prefer a sweeter applesauce, add more sugar or a natural sweetener like maple syrup.
  • You can omit the sugar for a sugar-free version, especially if making it for babies.
  • For canning, follow proper canning guidelines to ensure safety.

Nutrition