Homemade Applesauce is a must-make recipe in the fall months when apples are plentiful and delicious!
When the chill hits the air in the fall, apples are ready to be picked. If you’re lucky enough to live in an area where you can go apple picking, I highly suggest you jump at the opportunity. My husband and I used to take our son apple picking when he was little, and it was so much fun to come home with bags of apples. There are plenty of recipes you can make with fresh apples, and you should start with this homemade applesauce.
How to make Homemade Applesauce:
This applesauce recipe is incredibly easy. You’ll peel and core your apples, slice them thinly and put them in a big pot. Then you’ll add a little water, white and brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice and lemon juice. After you get everything in the pot, the hard part is done. Then you’ll cover the pot and let this mixture cook over low heat for 3 to 4 hours. The apples will break down in the heat, and it will all turn into applesauce!
What’s the best variety of apple to use for applesauce?
This recipe calls for using Golden Delicious apples. There are other varieties that are good for applesauce too. Cortland, Crispin and Fuji are good substitutes for Golden Delicious. If you prefer a more tart/sweet applesauce, use Gravenstein or McIntosh. For a more tangy, crisp applesauce, try using Braeburn or Rome.
If you prefer to cut down on the sugar, it’s okay to cut down on the sugar a bit. This applesauce is the perfect, delicious sweet snack. I always make several batches of this to enjoy during the fall months. In my house, it gets gobbled up rather quickly!
How long can you keep homemade applesauce?
Store it covered in the refrigerator. It will be good to eat for several days. It’s so good that it won’t last long! I’m not very familiar with canning, so I’m not certain if this homemade applesauce recipe is appropriate for traditional canning. Enjoy!
Here are a few more recipes using fresh apples:
- Apple Thyme Chicken
- Caramel Apple Monkey Bread
- Apple Cake with Hot Caramel Rum Sauce
- Southern Fried Apples
- Apple Fritters
- Maple Apple Tartlets
- Apple Cole Slaw
- Apple Fritter Rings
If you happen to be following the Weight Watchers WW plan, you’ll find a link to the WW Points on the recipe card below.
Homemade Applesauce
Ingredients
- 12 medium Golden Delicious apples, peeled and sliced
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup granulated white sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a large saucepan. Cook 3 to 4 hours, covered, on medium-low heat. Stir occasionally.
- Serve warm, or refrigerate and serve cold.
Notes
- Lighten up the on the sweetness by cutting the sugar in half.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I use either McIntosh or Granny Smith and sometimes mix them. I also cook my apples in the pressure cooker being sure to take it off the burner BEFORE it “giggles”. I lightly use a potato masher and add about 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamin to taste. This is done in about a half hour as compared to the above recipe. It’s what my Mom made for years and always was delicious. Since it does disappear so quickly, I prefer to cover it and leave it out as it’s better warm or room tenperature.
This recipe seems to be very close to the one I used back in my canning days, a combination of Ball and Kerr recipes. I believe it would can beautifully. I won’t need to worry about long term storing, this will go quickly!!