Fresh apples and warm apple pie spice with a few pantry ingredients make this Homemade Apple Sauce a cozy fall snack. Tuck it into a lunchbox for a school treat you can feel good about.
Other tasty fall treats include pumpkin scones or these baked apple donuts.
Recipe Highlights: Homemade Apple Sauce
- Flavor: This sauce can be made sweet or tart, depending on the type or combination of apples. Apple pie spice adds warm fall flavor.
- Texture: Blend it smoothly or mash it by hand with a fork or potato masher for a chunkier style sauce.
- Equipment: All you need is a large pot or Dutch oven, immersion blender or a regular blender, to make this simple recipe.
- Make Ahead: Apple sauce freezes beautifully. Freeze portions into ice cube trays and pop cubes into a smoothie or overnight oats, or microwave and serve warm over vanilla ice cream.
Total Time: 50 Mins Servings: 6 Cooking Method: Stovetop
Ingredients Notes
- Apples: A mix of sweet and tart apples gives the best flavor, while firm and soft varieties create great texture. Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Jonagold, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, McIntosh, Cortland, or Red Delicious all work well.
- Water: Is needed to keep the apples from sticking while they cook. Apple cider can be used for even more flavor.
- Flavoring:
- Lemon juice keeps the fruit bright and tart, orange juice can be used instead.
- Apple pie spice adds warm fall flavor, but cinnamon or even pumpkin pie spice can be used as a replacement. Add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves.
- Vanilla adds extra flavor and enhances the sweetness.
- Sugar is optional, be sure to taste before adding. You can use honey or maple syrup if needed.
How to Make Homemade Applesauce
- Cook the apples with all ingredients except sugar until tender, stirring occasionally. Add water if needed.
- Remove from heat and stir in sugar to taste. (Full recipe below.)
- Blend with an immersion blender until smooth or mash by hand for chunky sauce.
Storing Leftovers
- Keep homemade applesauce for up 5 days in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container.
- Make a double batch and freeze portions in small containers or freezer bags. I like to store it in 1-cup portions for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and stir after it has thawed.
Easy Breakfast Recipes That Pair With Apple Sauce
Have you tried this Homemade Apple Sauce recipe? Leave a comment and rating below!
Homemade Apple Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples approximately 8 to 10 medium apples, or 8 cups
- ½ cup water
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice (fresh preferred), or orange juice
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice or cinnamon (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 2 Tablespoons sugar optional, or honey
Instructions
- Peel apples (if desired). Core and cut apples.
- Add apples, water, lemon juice, apple pie spice, and vanilla to a large pot.
- Cover and cook over medium-low heat until apples are very soft, about 25 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally, adding a small amount of water if the apples are starting to get dry.
- Remove from heat. If using sugar, add a little at a time until applesauce reaches desired sweetness.
- Use an immersion blender or other blender to blend until the applesauce reaches desired consistency. For a chunkier sauce, use a potato masher.
Notes
- Recipe yields about 3 cups of apple sauce.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
©Our Zesty Life. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!
REPIN this Homemade Apple Sauce recipe!
Wonderful and easy !!
So glad you enjoyed it, Maddy!