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Easy Homemade Applesauce

September 25, 2020 by Michelle | Leave a Comment

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applesauce in a bowl with a spoon on the side and apples in the background with a text overlay that says now cook this easy homemade applesauce

This Easy Homemade Applesauce is packed with so much delicious fresh apple flavor, and it’s so simple to make with just 3 ingredients!

bowl of applesauce with a spoon on the side and apples in the background this recipe

It is apple pickin’ time once again! If you’ve never made homemade applesauce, now is the time to give it a go. It’s made right on the stovetop, is incredibly easy, takes less than an hour, and it may just be the best applesauce you’ve ever had!

I love going to our local orchard all throughout the fall season and trying all the different varieties of apples. I eat one every day as a snack, and I use them in all kinds of recipes.

So I came home yesterday with my first haul, a much-huger-than-I-needed bag of apples called Sweet Sixteen (I was excited, okay?). They are awesomely sweet, crisp, and juicy!

I immediately got to work on making this simple and delicious homemade applesauce, which I’ve been making for years. Guys, this is so much better than any store-bought applesauce I’ve ever had. It’s the only kind I ever want!

I’m giving you the basic recipe here for making a small batch (about 4 cups) of sweetened applesauce with no extra flavors. It’s perfect as a side dish, a snack, or even dessert. I also keep it simple so that I can use the applesauce in other recipes.

However, the beauty of this recipe is that you can easily make a bigger or smaller batch, you can make it more sweet, less sweet (or you can opt to not add any sugar at all), and you can flavor it up any way you like (cinnamon is a classic addition).

You can also make it chunky or smooth. I like my applesauce with some texture and bits of apple throughout. YUM!

spoonful of applesauce being taken out of a bowl

Ingredients you need:

  • Apples
  • Light brown sugar (or white sugar)
  • Water

Here’s a quick look at how to make Easy Homemade Applesauce:

two images showing the steps to make easy homemade applesauce
two images showing how to make easy homemade applesauce

Tips & Tidbits:

  • You can use any kind of apples!
  • The sweetness of your apples and your own personal tastes will determine how much sugar you will want to add. I always start with ½ cup and then add more at the end, if needed.
  • For non-sweetened applesauce, just omit the sugar.
  • I like my applesauce semi-chunky, so I mash the cooked apples with a potato masher. If you want it super smooth, you could use an immersion blender, regular blender, or food processor.
  • If you want flavored applesauce (like cinnamon, for example), stir in the spices or other flavorings at the very end.
  • Since this applesauce is fresh and there are no preservatives, store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and use it within 5 to 7 days.
  • For longer storage, you can freeze it. Place cooled applesauce in freezer containers (be sure to leave some room at the top to allow for expansion) or freezer bags and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat it, just thaw and enjoy!
applesauce in mason jars with a spoon in one jar and apples in the background

You can enjoy your applesauce warm or chilled. It’s amazing both ways!

I hope you try this recipe for Easy Homemade Applesauce and love it as much as I do. Thanks for visiting today!

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  • Caramel Apple Crisp
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  • Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • Pineapple-Orange Cranberry Sauce
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Easy Homemade Applesauce

This Easy Homemade Applesauce is packed with so much delicious fresh apple flavor, and it's so simple to make with just 3 ingredients!
Print Recipe Rate/Comment Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8 (½ cup each; recipe makes about 4 cups total)
Calories: 143
Author: Michelle / Now Cook This!

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and quartered
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, or white sugar
  • ½ cup water

Instructions

  • Combine the apples, light brown sugar, and water in a saucepot (3-quart or larger).
  • Bring to a boil; reduce the heat, cover, and let simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender.
  • Mash the apples to your desired consistency. Note: I mash the apples by hand with a potato masher for a semi-chunky texture. For a super-smooth applesauce, you can use an immersion blender, regular blender or food processor (do in batches, if needed).
  • Taste and add more sugar, if needed.
  • Enjoy warm or chilled.

Notes

  • You can use any kind of apples!
  • The sweetness of your apples and your own personal tastes will determine how much sugar you will want to add. I always start with ½ cup and then add more at the end, if needed.
  • For non-sweetened applesauce, just omit the sugar.
  • If you want flavored applesauce (like cinnamon, for example), stir in the spices or other flavorings at the very end.
  • Since this applesauce is fresh and there are no preservatives, store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and use it within 5 to 7 days.
  • For longer storage, you can freeze it. Place cooled applesauce in freezer containers (be sure to leave some room at the top to allow for expansion) or freezer bags and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat it, just thaw and enjoy!
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it!Mention @nowcookthis or tag #nowcookthisrecipes!
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Welcome to my kitchen where something good is always cooking! I want us all to cook and eat at home more, so I’m here to share my favorite simple and delicious recipes that are perfect for the everyday home cook. I hope you will be inspired to get in the kitchen and try these recipes, and I hope they become some of your favorites too! Read more…

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