Easy Homemade Applesauce ? A simply bright & delicious recipe for preparing the best applesauce you’ve ever had! Fresh apples, lemon juice, maple syrup & cinnamon are all you need to create this classic comfort food favorite.
A is for apples and this awesome recipe for preparing the easiest and tastiest applesauce. I’m going to share all the basics you need to know to prepare not one, but TWO of the yummiest applesauce recipes. Let’s get started!
Applesauce is a comfort food in the truest sense. As one of the first solid foods given to many human babies, there are good reasons why people of all ages enjoy it. It’s easy to eat, it’s delicious and nutritious! Plus it’s oil-free, gluten-free, nut-free and 100% vegan!
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Is applesauce good for you?
Yes it is! According to this article, applesauce can provide such health benefits as:
Heart Health – Applesauce contains about the same amount of fiber as whole apples. The fiber is soluble, which helps to lower your blood cholesterol levels. Like fresh apples, applesauce also contains polyphenols, which may help to reduce blood pressure. Lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels can help to reduce your risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Digestive Health – The soluble fiber in applesauce, in the form of pectin, can be helpful in treating digestive issues, such as diarrhea and constipation. It can help to neutralize the effects of irritable bowel syndrome. Pectin also acts as a prebiotic, which feeds good gut bacteria and promotes good digestive health.
Cancer Prevention – The phytochemicals in apples can help to reduce the risk of cancer. While most of these compounds are in the apple skin, there are some in the flesh. Applesauce retains some of the antioxidants, so it can help lower your cancer risk as well.
Lower Risk of Asthma – The antioxidants in apples can help fight oxidative damage in the lungs, which can lower your risk for asthma. The quercetin in apples and applesauce can also give your immune system a boost and reduce inflammation.
Source: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-applesauce#2
How to use applesauce as an ingredient
Applesauce as a side dish or dessert is wonderful all on its own, but it’s also an ideal ingredient to add to lots of other recipes & dishes. It adds flavor, texture, moisture and can be a good substitute for eggs in baked goods. The pectin in applesauce acts like a binder, much like eggs. I love using applesauce as a healthier alternative to oil in baking. Simply replace one part oil to one part applesauce. Here are just a few of the many food items you can enjoy with applesauce:
- Cakes
- Cookies
- Muffins
- Oatmeal
- On toast
- On potato pancakes or latkes
How to make homemade applesauce
The key to creating the best applesauce is by combining a variety of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, Honey Crisp, Rome, Red or Golden Delicious, etc. For the apple sauce I prepared here, I used Granny Smith & Honey Crisp apples. It was scrumptious!
Applesauce sweetened with maple syrup
Most traditional applesauce recipes require white or brown sugar. Personally, I prefer to sweeten mine with pure maple syrup. The combination of fresh apples and maple are like a match made in heaven. Since maple syrup tends to be sweeter than sugar, you can use less of it. I like my applesauce to be on the less-sweet side, but if you want yours sweeter, simply add more maple syrup to taste. You can also omit adding any syrup at all if you prefer unsweetened applesauce.
Here are the basics for making this easy homemade applesauce recipe
?This recipe makes approximately one quart or 32 oz. of applesauce.
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
- 5 qt stovetop pot with lid
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Citrus juicer
- Veggie peeler
- Long handled spoon
Ingredients
- 3 lbs apples (approx 6-8 large apples)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
?See complete recipe below for details
Gather your ingredients 
Peel, core and slice apples 
Place in a stovetop pot with water & lemon juice 
Cook until tender then add cinnamon & maple syrup 
Place cooked apples in blender or food processor 
Puree to a consistency you like 
If you haven’t tried homemade applesauce, you’re in for a treat. I think you’ll be amazed how fresh and good it tastes. It’s so simple and easy to prepare, chances are, you might not use store-bought applesauce again!
Variations
Variety is the spice of life and that is certainly true with applesauce. The mellow flavor of fresh apples provides the perfect foundation for the addition of other fruits and spices like:
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Apricots
- Mango
- Orange zest
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
- Cranberries – my favorite!!!
Homemade Cranberry Applesauce
I absolutely love the combination of tart fresh cranberries intermingled with sweet applesauce. Add a dash of ground cloves and nutmeg and this Homemade Cranberry Applesauce becomes a perfect Thanksgiving side dish.
How to make Homemade Cranberry Applesauce
Prepare a batch of homemade applesauce 
Gather rest of ingredients 
Pour maple syrup & water in stovetop pot 
Add fresh cranberries and simmer at a low boil 
Strain liquid 
Add cooked cranberries & spices to applesauce & stir
And there you have it, a beautiful batch of homemade cranberry applesauce sweetened with maple syrup. What a perfect holiday side dish, snack or light dessert you & your guests will enjoy!
If you love apples, you really should take a look at these delish fruit dishes!
- Easy Vegan Old Fashioned Apple Crisp
- Vegan Berry Cobbler
- Easy Vegan Apple Pie
- Vegan Orange Cranberry Bread
- Best Vegan Strawberry Shortcake
very vegan ? very good
Easy Homemade Applesauce
Equipment
- blender or food processor
- 5 qt stovetop pot with lid
- Long handled spoon
- Mesh strainer
Ingredients
Easy Homemade Applesauce
- 3 lbs apples approx 6-8 large apples – washed
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup maple syrup add more if desired or none for unsweetened applesauce
Easy Homemade Cranberry Applesauce
- 1 cup cranberries fresh – washed & rinsed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg optional
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves optional
- 1/2 tsp zest orange or lemon – optional
- 3 cups applesauce prepared in advance
Instructions
Easy Homemade Applesauce
- Wash, peel, core and slice apples.
- Place apples in a 5 qt. or larger pot. Add 3/4 cup water and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Stir.
- Place apples on stove over med-high heat. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and allow apples to simmer for 12 – 15 minutes, until soft. Cover with lid if needed to avoid splatters.
- Remove from heat. Stir in cinnamon and maple syrup.
- Carefully transfer cooked apples to a blender or food processor. Pulse until pureed or consistency you prefer.
- Cool for a few minutes. Store applesauce in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Easy Homemade Cranberry Applesauce
- Thoroughly wash/rinse cranberries
- Pour water, maple syrup and cranberries into a 5 qt. or larger stovetop pot and cover with lid (to prevent splatters).
- Place over med-high heat until liquid is boiling. Reduce heat to simmer, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes until cranberries pop open and soften.
- Strain liquid off cranberries.
- Spoon cranberries into 3 cups of prepared applesauce. Stir to combine.
- Add spices or zest if desired.
- Allow to cool then transfer to an airtight container. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
