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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    September 16, 2020

    Homemade Applesauce

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    This Homemade Applesauce is such a treat! It's smooth and slightly sweet with a touch of cinnamon. Eat right away or freeze in bags to enjoy later!

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    Spoon of homemade applesauce

    My brother has always been very particular when it comes to applesauce. He only eats the smooth, sweetened applesauce with no cinnamon and it has to be cold. Like I said, very particular.

    I, on the other hand, could eat about any type of applesauce, but especially love it homemade! Homemade applesauce is super easy to make and is worth every second of peeling and coring those apples!

    Something that I love about making my own applesauce is that I can make it exactly how I want it - sweetened or unsweetened, cinnamon or no cinnamon, and smooth or chunky. Oh, and I can enjoy some right away and freeze the rest in baggies for the rest of the year.

    White bowl with applesauce

    How do you make applesauce from scratch?

    There are six main steps: Pick, peel, flavor, cook, blend, store.

    First off, pick the apples. You can use about any kind of apple for applesauce. I've been using the apples off my cousin's apple tree (see photo below). For this particular recipe, you'll need about 12 medium apples. You can always double, triple, etc. this recipe if you have more to use and want to freeze some!

    apple tree full of green apples

    Next, you'll peel, core and cut the apples into chunks. I like to put the cut apples into a bowl of water with some lemon juice so they don't brown a ton. Once they're all ready, simply drain the water off the apples.

    Then add the sugar and cinnamon if you'd like. You can certainly keep it plain, too!

    Sugar being sprinkled over the peeled and sliced apples
    Cinnamon on the apple slices

    Now, cook the apples. Put the apples in a large pot with a lid and cook on medium for 20-30 minutes, stirring every few minutes. You'll know the apples are done when they're very soft and you can easily smash one with a fork. The mixture will be lumpy at this point.

    Chunky applesauce on a wooden spoon

    If you like your applesauce chunky, you can be done! However, if you like it smooth, add the cooked apples to a food processor and blend until smooth. Then pour onto a baking sheet and let cool.

    Homemade Applesauce in the food processor

    How should I store and freeze the applesauce?

    Once the applesauce is cooled to room temp, you can bag and freeze it (or enjoy right away!). Scoop applesauce into labeled freezer bags and make sure they're well-sealed. Freeze for up to 12 months! To defrost, let the bag sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes.

    Ingredients needed for the applesauce

    Can you make applesauce in a slow cooker?

    You can!! You'll follow the same instructions in the recipe except for the stovetop part. Instead, you'll put the ingredients into your slow cooker and cook on HIGH for about 4 hours or until the apples are very soft. Be sure to stir them a couple times while cooking.

    Then, you'll follow the recipe - blend, cool and store!

    cinnamon homemade applesauce in a white bowl

    Apple recipes - where to begin?!

    Do you have a tree that's packed with apples? Or did you make a trip to the orchard and come home with a ton? Applesauce is a great option to use up (and freeze!) some of the fruit! However, there are so many more things you could do...

    If you're looking for something sweet, I love Caramel Apple Cobbler and these Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars. Frosted Apple Cookies are another great option and they freeze really well.

    If you need a quick lunch idea, try my Apple Orchard Sandwiches – using apples is fun way to add some crunch and sweetness to a simple sandwich. I look forward to these all year - for some reason it just says "fall!"

    Cinnamon and plain applesauce in bowls
    Which do you prefer - cinnamon or plain?

    Connect with Dance Around the Kitchen!

    Follow us on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook so you never miss a recipe!! And as always, thank you for following along with my blog, making my recipes, liking and sharing on social media and any other way you support Dance Around the Kitchen!  -Kelsey

    Homemade Applesauce

    Homemade Applesauce

    kelsey
    This Homemade Applesauce is such a treat! It's smooth and slightly sweet with a touch of cinnamon. Eat right away or freeze in bags to enjoy later!
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    Prevent your screen from going to sleep.
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Servings 9 ½ c servings

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 medium apples
    • ⅓ c sugar if desired
    • 1 tablespoon cinnamon if desired

    Instructions
     

    • Peel and core the apples. Then cut into chunks and place in a large saucepan with a lid.
    • Add the sugar and cinnamon to the apples.
    • Stir the apples, then cook on medium for 20-30 minutes, or until the apples are very soft.
    • Using a food processor, blend the apples until smooth.
    • Let cool then scoop into freezer bags and freeze (or enjoy right away!).
    Keyword apples, applesauce
    Tried this recipe?Follow me at @dancearoundthekitchen.kelsey and let me know how you liked it!

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    about kelsey

    About Kelsey

    Combining my love for food and family is a pretty easy calculation. Almost all family gatherings include food… After all, a party without cake is just a meeting right? Read more...

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    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a wife, mother and BFFs with my KitchenAid mixer, happy to bring you easy meals and decadent desserts! Welcome to my blog!

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