This is hands down the easiest and tastiest applesauce ever, and it’s my cousin’s absolute favorite! She’s not into the store-bought stuff, but this homemade version? She can’t get enough of it. Making applesauce from scratch might sound fancy, but it’s actually super simple. Every time I make it, the kitchen fills with this amazing, cozy apple smell that everyone loves.
Applesauce Recipe
One taste of this homemade applesauce and store-bought won’t stand a chance! It’s sweet, a bit tart, and so cozy, like warm apple pie. This recipe always makes me think of my grandmother, who loved having applesauce during the fall and winter months.
With only six ingredients, it’s super simple, the hardest part is peeling the apples! I cook it on the stovetop, so the apple flavor stays strong. The smell of apples and cinnamon fills the house, making it feel like fall. And this applesauce goes with everything: pork, roast chicken, pancakes, or even ice cream!
If you’re used to store-bought, you’ll be amazed by how much better homemade is. Give it a try, you’re going to love it!
Jump to:
⭐Why You'll Love This Applesauce
- Easy to Make: This recipe is super simple and perfect for both beginners and experienced cooks. Just toss everything in a pot, simmer, and mash or blend until it’s the texture you like.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with fresh apples, a little sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice, nothing artificial, just pure, natural flavors.
- Customizable: You can easily tweak this recipe to suit your taste. Whether you like it chunky or smooth, sweet or tangy or want to try different apple varieties, it's all up to you.
- Versatile: Use this applesauce as a snack, a topping for pancakes or yogurt, or even as a natural sweetener in baked goods like muffins!
🧾Applesauce Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this applesauce recipe:
- Apples: I love using Granny Smith apples for this applesauce. They add a nice sweet and tangy flavor, and as they cook down, they create the body of the sauce. You can decide how chunky or smooth you want it based on how much you mash or blend them.
- Water: I use water to help soften the apples as they steam and simmer. It keeps them from sticking to the pan and ensures they don’t dry out while cooking. You can adjust the amount of water to get the thickness you like!
- Sugar: I like granulated sugar because it boosts the apples' natural sweetness and balances any tartness, especially with Granny Smith apples. It helps create a nice flavor and acts as a mild preservative to keep the applesauce fresh longer.
- Lemon Juice: I add lemon juice for a fresh, tangy kick. It enhances the apples' tartness and prevents the applesauce from turning brown while cooking. Plus, it helps soften the apples, making them easier to mash.
- Cinnamon: A sprinkle of cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note that perfectly complements the sweetness of the apples and sugar, making the applesauce more aromatic.
- Salt: I always add a pinch of salt. It balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors, bringing out the best in the apples and sugar while preventing the sauce from being too sweet or one-note.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Applesauce
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Use a peeler to peel, and an apple corer slicer to core, and slice the apples.
2. In a large pot, combine the sliced apples, sugar, salt, cinnamon, lemon juice, and water.
3. Boil the mixture over medium-high heat, then lower to medium-low. Cover the pan and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
4. When the apples are soft, mash them with a potato masher or a blender for a chunky or smooth texture.
🍽 What to Eat with Applesauce
This homemade applesauce is such a tasty, healthy snack or side dish! It’s perfect on its own for a yummy breakfast or snack.
I love pairing it with apple macaroni, skillet pork chops, and thin pork chops. It’s also great in an applesauce cobbler and makes a delicious topping for banana bread, pumpkin bread, or pancakes!
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Use a Good Cooking Method: Grab a large saucepan so the apples have plenty of room to cook evenly and avoid overcrowding. Start on medium-high heat to bring everything to a boil, then lower it to medium-low for simmering. Keep an eye on the heat, too high can scorch the apples!
Monitor Cooking Time: Cooking time can change based on the type of apples and how big your pieces are. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and check for tenderness. The apples are ready when they’re soft and mash easily with a fork or potato masher.
Mash or Blend as Desired: For a chunky texture, use a potato masher. If you like it smooth, go for an immersion blender. Just remember, if you’re using a regular blender, let the mixture cool a bit first to avoid splatters.
Taste and Adjust: Always taste the applesauce before storing it. You can add more sugar, cinnamon, or lemon juice to make it just right. If it’s too tart, a little extra sugar can help. If it’s too sweet, a splash of lemon juice works wonders!
Cool and Store Properly: Let the applesauce cool to room temperature before transferring it to containers. Store it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it for up to six months. Don’t forget to label them with dates for easy tracking!
❓Commonly Asked Questions
The best apples for applesauce are a mix of sweet varieties like Gala, Fuji, and Honeycrisp, paired with tart options like Granny Smith for a balanced flavor and creamy texture.
🍏More Easy Apple Recipes
If you love using apple when you are cooking, then check out the following recipes for inspiration:
🍰More Dessert Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes! Try these:
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my Newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all the latest updates.
📖 Recipe
Applesauce
Ingredients
- 1.4 kg Apples - Peeled, cored, and diced.
- 250 ml Water
- 50 g Granulated Sugar
- 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Peel, core, and slice the apples with an apple corer slicer.
- In a large saucepan, combine the sliced apples, sugar, salt, cinnamon, lemon juice, and water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the saucepan and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the apples are soft and can be easily mashed with a spoon.
- Once the apples are tender, mash them with a potato masher for a chunky texture. If you prefer smooth applesauce, blend the mixture using an immersion blender or transfer it to a blender and puree until smooth.
- Taste the applesauce and adjust the sweetness or seasoning if necessary. You can add more sugar or cinnamon depending on your preference.
- Let the applesauce cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
This applesauce is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. The cinnamon adds a warm, cozy flavor that's perfect for fall.