Description
This homemade applesauce recipe is a simple and comforting treat made by simmering peeled, cored, and cubed apples with apple cider, brown sugar, and a cinnamon stick. The result is a naturally sweet, tender applesauce perfect for enjoying warm or chilled, serving as a side dish, snack, or versatile ingredient in other recipes.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 4 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and cubed
- 1 cup apple cider (not apple cider vinegar)
- ¼ to ½ cup brown sugar, to taste
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Add Ingredients: Place the peeled, cored, and cubed apples, apple cider, brown sugar, and cinnamon stick into a large pot.
- Simmer Apples: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are fork tender. This should take approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
- Mash the Applesauce: Remove and discard the cinnamon stick. Use a potato masher to mash the cooked apples to your preferred consistency, whether chunky or smooth.
- Serve or Store: Enjoy the applesauce warm or let it cool and refrigerate it before serving for a chilled option.
Notes
- Adjust the brown sugar to make the applesauce sweeter or more tart according to your taste and the natural sweetness of your apples.
- Use a variety of apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp for different flavor profiles.
- The cinnamon stick adds a lovely warm spice; you can also add a pinch of ground nutmeg or cloves for extra depth.
- Store leftover applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- For a smoother texture, blend the applesauce after mashing.
