It is apple season here in the Carolinas! Making homemade applesauce is somewhat of a special occasion around here since a healthy store-bought alternative (with no sugar added) can easily be found. I am not saying the store-bought stuff is nearly as good as the homemade version…just more convenient of course. Let’s just say that my husband and I do not regularly consume the little store-bought containers of applesauce, but all four of us fight over the last few drops if it is homemade! Plus making it yourself can be a fun activity (especially with kids), and luckily you can freeze the leftovers.
It is especially quick and easy to make this dish at home if you have a handy dandy apple slicer that will cut out the core and cut the rest into pieces. You can find these inexpensive tools at most grocery stores (or Target), and they will easily cut your prep time in half. Not to mention they come in handy for just slicing apples for a snack (or even pears too!).
- 3 pounds cooking apples (a variety is good), cut into ½ inch or 1 inch slices…no need to peel them unless you have an extra hour you want to kill
- ½ cup apple juice or cider
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 large cinnamon stick (optional)
- 1 – 2 tablespoons honey (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Combine the apples, apple juice/cider, lemon juice, and cinnamon stick (if using) into a large pot. Cover and simmer for 20 – 25 minutes or until tender (but not mushy).
- Transfer warm apple mixture to a food processor (or you can mash by hand with a potato masher) and add honey (if using) and nutmeg. Puree to desired chunkiness.
Serve, refrigerate, or freeze the leftovers!
I just made this and it’s so so good. I can’t believe how easy it is and without all the sugar. Thanks.
Can I do this recipe in the crockpot?
Hello Laura. I see no reason why that wouldn’t work. Let us know how it turns out. ~Amy
Laura, Skinnytaste has a recipe that is pretty much the same as this (minus apple juice/cider) that you cook on low in a crock pot for 6 hours. I make some about every 2-3 weeks and my 2 year old LOVES it!
What do you mean when you say cooking apples? Are there some apples that you want to avoid using?
Hi Stefani. This might help: http://www.eatingwell.com/healthy_cooking/healthy_cooking_101_basics_and_techniques/types_of_apples_the_best_apples_for_baking_cooking_and_eating. ~Amy
I always thought I didn’t like apples mostly because of their texture. What I have realized is that i just don’t like red delicious. Honey crisp is worth the extra price. I now live in upstate NY with lots of apple orchards and am enjoying trying all the new varieties!
Tracy, I too didn’t care for Red Delicious apples either. My husband, a northern California native, introduced me to Braeburn apples – they’re so crispy and flavorful, and I’ve not touched a Red Delicious in over 15 years. You can find U.S. grown, but off-season they’re typically imported from New Zealand.
Tracy, have you tried Cortland apples? I’ve only seen them in upstate NY and they’re delicious. Picking them this week too!
How much does this make?
Hi Liz. My rough guess is 4-4 1/2 cups. ~Amy
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Wondering how many cups the 3 lbs ends up to be. I’m excited to try this.
Hi Kerry. According to another website:1 pound apples = 2-3/4 cups cored, sliced or chopped apples. Hope that helps. ~Amy
I make this without the apple juice or cider as I rarely have this on hand. Instead, I just use a little water. It is so easy and so tasty.
Just wondering if you put the cinnamon stick in the food processor as well?
Trisha, you will need to take the cinnamon stick out. 😊
I just made this, and it was delicious! We live in Upstate New York, and it is apple season! I used fresh picked Cortland apples (because that is what was ripe), and I didn’t need any honey at all. The applesauce was perfect with the cider and cinnamon (I didn’t have a stick so I used 1/4 tsp of ground cinnamon). I looked up a few recipes before finding this one, and they all called for a ton of white sugar. If I had added it, I can’t even imagine how sweet it would have been, because it is perfect without it! Thank you for all of the great recipes!
What kind of apple juice do you use? Store bought?
Hi Renee. Look for an organic 100% apple juice. ~Amy
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You were right, it was simple and great tasting! Thanks!
Remind me why I ever bought applesauce? Easy peasy is right. I omitted the honey (b/c I didn’t have any) and used a stick blender (I drained a bit of the juice 1/2 thru blending b/c mine was a little too runny). The house smelled heavenly. I used 3 lbs chopped apples (not counting the cores) and ended up with just over 4 cups of applesauce. Deeelish.
Do you keep the skins on?
Hello Tay. You do not need to peel the apples. ~Amy
The nutmeg was too much for my girls but other than that we loved it. The consistency was like that of baby applesauce, I really liked that.
Very delicious recipe. very simple and nice
Hi, I understand that it’s not necessary to peel the skin but can you “feel” the skin when it’s done? My girls really have some texture issues when it comes to food.
Hi Danise. If you are worried about the texture, you can peel the apples. My boys never notice the skin, however. ~Amy
Bought all the ingredients and realized I was out if lemons when I get home. Are there any reasonable substitutes? Or should I just wait until I can get back to the store? Thanks!