Ingredients
Applesauce Ingredients
- 4 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and quartered (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
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, add the peeled, cored, and quartered apples along with water, sugar, and ground cinnamon. Place the pot over medium heat to begin simmering.
- Cook Apples: Cover the pot and let the mixture cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples become very soft and tender.
- Add Lemon Juice: Stir in the fresh lemon juice to enhance the flavor and prevent browning, then remove the pot from heat.
- Blend or Mash: Transfer the cooked apples to a blender or food processor. Remove the center insert from the lid and cover with a kitchen towel before blending to your desired smoothness. Alternatively, use a potato masher or an immersion blender for a chunkier texture.
- Cool and Store: Allow the applesauce to cool completely. Then transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Applesauce is a fantastic way to use up soft or surplus apples of any variety.
- Customize the flavor by adding spices such as cardamom, apple pie spice, pumpkin spice, ginger, nutmeg, or clove.
- Add sugar gradually to avoid oversweetening the applesauce.
- If the apple mixture is watery, drain excess liquid before blending to prevent runny applesauce.
- Dice apples evenly and avoid large chunks to ensure uniform cooking.
- Remove all apple seeds thoroughly to prevent bitterness in the final sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
