Description
Simple, wholesome homemade applesauce made with fresh apples, a touch of lemon, and optional cinnamon or maple syrup. Perfectly sweet, cozy, and ideal for snacks or baking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 medium fresh apples (mix of sweet & tart, like Honeycrisp + Granny Smith)
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (optional for sweetness)
- 💡 Tip: Combine 2–3 apple varieties for balanced flavor.
Instructions
- Prep the Apples: Peel and core apples. Slice into even 1-inch chunks. Rinse briefly to remove any excess lemon juice or peel residue.
- Boil: Add apples, water, and lemon juice to a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are soft and easily broken down.
- Mash or Blend: For chunky applesauce, mash with a potato masher. For smooth texture, blend using an immersion blender or food processor.
- Season: Stir in cinnamon and maple syrup or honey if desired. Taste and adjust sweetness or spice as needed.
- Cool & Store: Let cool completely, then transfer to airtight jars. Refrigerate up to 7 days or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
Use organic apples if possible. For unsweetened applesauce, omit maple syrup or honey. This recipe makes about 6 cups and can be used in baking or as a healthy snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg