Homemade applesauce might seem like a project, but it’s surprisingly easy to make and is a great way to capture the tart, fruity flavor of fresh apples.
Recipe Spotlight
How to Make the Very Best Applesauce in 3 Easy Steps
Our recipe, plus the pantry staple that adds delicious complexity.
By Published Sept. 18, 2023.
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10 ingredients. 45 minutes. Quick, easy, and fresh weeknight recipes.
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Step 1: Add ingredients to a pot
To make it, start by peeling and coring your apples. Cut them into quarters and tumble them into a large saucepan with sugar (we like to use brown sugar for the rich caramel flavor it adds, but white sugar will also work), cinnamon (just enough to emphasize the apple flavor without being too prominent), a pinch of salt, and water.
Step 2: Simmer
Then, simply simmer it together until the apples are soft and squishy, which takes about 30 minutes.
Step 3: Blend
A quick blitz in the food processor transforms the apples and cooking liquid into silky-smooth applesauce, perfect for breakfasts, snacks, or your next baking project (may I humbly suggest the Applesauce Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing?).
This recipe is the perfect application for whatever mismatched apples are tumbling around in your crisper or accompanying you home from the orchard. It’s an especially good use for apples that might be too bumped and bruised to eat out of hand. You can use almost any variety of apple in this recipe, except the ones below.
- Golden Delicious apples were cloyingly sweet without any balancing tartness.
- Red Delicious apples were unpleasantly pasty.
- Granny Smith apples were too sour.