Naturally Sweetened Homemade Applesauce

Homemade Applesauce is the absolute best way to enjoy applesauce! This applesauce recipe is so simple to make, naturally sweetened, and better tasting than any store-bought applesauce! PERIOD!

Why Homemade is Best

If I want to see my kid's faces light up, I just need to announce I am making homemade applesauce.

NOTHING beats homemade applesauce. The taste of homemade applesauce is a million times better than store-bought applesauce. Truly! The taste, the texture, the smell, it is so much better than any jarred applesauce.

And thankfully, making applesauce at home is incredibly easy. In fact, Applesauce is one of the first recipes I learned to make. I remember standing on a step stool stirring in cinnamon to my aunt's homemade applesauce. Oh, that smell---absolutely divine!

This recipe for applesauce has been a staple in my house for decades, and I believe it needs to be one in yours as well!

Selecting Apples for Applesauce

You can truly make applesauce out of any apple. I recommend sweet, soft apples for homemade applesauce, as they cook down easily and naturally sweeten the applesauce so that there is no need to add sugar to the applesauce.

I also find that a combination of apples works to give applesauce incredible flavor as well.

I typically opt for some sort of combination of the following apple varieties:

• Fuji
• Courtland
• Gala
• Golden Delicious

Money-Saving Tip: Scan the manager's specials for apples that are almost past their prime. They are typically marked drastically down and they make the perfect base for applesauce! I have even found great specials at my local orchard on bruised apples. 

Preparing the Apples

• Thoroughly clean 3 pounds of apples.
• Core the apples and chop into large chunks.

You read that correctly, I did NOT mention peeling the apples. It takes too much time and that is where most of the nutrients are!! Plus we are going to blend this later, so the peels will not affect the texture. 

How to Make Homemade Applesauce

• Place apple into a heavy bottom stock pan.
• Add in apple juice, apple cider, or pineapple juice and cinnamon.
• Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
• Simmer for 1-2 hours until apples are soft and broken down into nearly a soft mush (What a description!!) 
• The amount of time that your apples need to simmer is based on the varieties you used, but I find it is typically between 1 and 2 hours.
• Blend the apples until completely smooth.

How to Blend Applesauce

You can blend applesauce to be somewhat chunky or completely smooth. If you prefer chunk applesauce, you can simply use a potato masher. Keep in mind that unless you plan to blend your applesauce, you may want to peel your apples.

Using a Blender:

• Depending on your blender, you may need to blend in smaller batches.
• Be sure to allow steam to escape by loosening the top cup on the lid and placing a kitchen towel over the top and blend until smooth.

Using a Hand Held Immersion Blender:

• If you are using a stainless steel stock pan, you can use a hand-held immersion blender and blend right in your pot for homemade applesauce.
• Do not use an immersion blender on delicate cookware like enamel cookware.

Using a Food Processor:

• Working in batches, transfer the cooked apples into a food processor fitted with the serrated blade.
• Process until smooth.

How to Freeze Applesauce

Nothing is better than fresh, warm applesauce. But especially during the holiday season, I find myself making this weeks in advance. When

• Allow the applesauce to cool completely.
• Place into 1-quart freezer-safe bags or containers.
• Store in the freezer for 3-6 months.
• Thaw out the applesauce and heat gently over low heat before serving.

Notes on Homemade Applesauce

• You can certainly peel the apples if you prefer. I like the ease of not peeling plus the added nutrition.
• Instead of apple juice, you can use apple cider or pineapple juice as the cooking liquid. Either of these options helps to naturally sweeten the apples as they cook.
• For Cinnamon Applesauce, add 1-2 teaspoons of cinnamon to apples before cooking.
• If you need your applesauce to be sweeter, add in 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup, granulated sugar, or brown sugar.
• If you have an Instant Pot, you may want to try my recipe for Instant Pot Applesauce.

More Easy DIY Homemade Recipes

• Homemade Granola
• Homemade Gogurts
• Dairy Free Fudgesicles
• Homemade Larabars
• Homemade Cheese Crackers
• Instant Pot Yogurt

If you made this homemade applesauce, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below. 

Homemade Applesauce

An easy recipe for naturally sweetened homemade applesauce made without any added sugars.

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 73kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

• ▢ 3 pounds apples
• ▢ 1 cup apple juice
• ▢ 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon optional

Cook ModePrevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

Instructions

• Wash and dry your apples. Remove core from apple and cut into 2 inch chunks.
• Place apples in heavy-duty stock pan. Pour in 1 cup apple juice and sprinkle with cinnamon if using.
• Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce heat. 
• Simmer for 1-2 hours until apples have completely broken down and skin is soft. 
• Either mash applesauce with potato masher, immersion blender, or transfer to a blender or food processor to blend into smooth.
• Cool before serving.

Notes

• Any variety of apples can be used to make homemade apples. Personally, I prefer a combination of sweet, soft apples such as Gala, Fuji, Courtland, and Golden Delicious. 
• Applesauce will last for 5-6 days in refrigerator and for 3 months in the freezer.
• Instead of apple juice, you can use apple cider or pineapple juice as the cooking liquid. Water can be used as well, but will not add as much natural sweetness to the applesauce.
• I do not peel apples, because I blend applesauce to be smooth and I want the added nutrients found in the skins. If you plan to have chunkier applesauce that is simply, you will want to peel your apples. 

Nutrition

Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 5.5mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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