Homemade Applesauce
This old-fashioned applesauce is made with fresh apples, warm spices, and no added sugar — simple, delicious, and naturally sweet!
Servings 6
Calories 120kcal
Cost $5
Equipment
- 1 Large heavy bottom pot
- 1 potato masher
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples 8-10
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg or double the cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Lemon zest optional
Instructions
- Peel and chop apples
- In a large heavy bottom pot, combine apples, water, lemon juice, spices, and salt
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer until apples are tender, about 25 minutes
- Uncover and simmer until almost all liquid is gone
- Add lemon zest
- Mash with a potato masher until you achieve your desired consistency
- Allow to cool
Notes
Nutrition information is provided as an estimate only.
Prep Tips:
- Sweetness - Because most apples are naturally sweet, you don’t need to add sugar. However, if you prefer a sweeter applesauce, feel free to add a little regular sugar, brown sugar, or honey, to your taste.
- Spices - If you don’t have nutmeg that on hand you can omit or use extra cinnamon.
- Yield - This recipe made 3 cups of applesauce.
- Storage - Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. You can also freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
- Texture - For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender after you've cooked the apples to soften them. You could also puree in a food processor.
- Fuji – naturally sweet and soft
- Gala – mild, smooth, and easy to cook down
- Golden Delicious – balanced flavor, adds richness
- McIntosh – soft texture and classic apple flavor
- Braeburn – slightly tart, great for blending
- Granny Smith – adds a little zing and balance
- Jonathan or Jonagold – sweet-tart and aromatic
- Honeycrisp and Pink Lady – too firm, take longer to soften
- Red Delicious – tends to become watery and bland when cooked
Nutrition
Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 248mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 123IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.3mg