Easy Homemade Applesauce
Apples are a key staple for Autumn, Winter and Christmas desserts, especially when paired with cinnamon and all the other gorgeous spices. Applesauce can be used in a variety of ways. Once you learn how to make this applesauce, you will never buy store brought applesauce ever again.
JUMP TO RECIPE
How To Make Applesauce From Scratch
Making applesauce from scratch is much easier than you think. Only a couple of ingredients are needed to make your own delicious applesauce.
The Best Apples To Make Applesauce
I always find using a mixture of apple varieties produces the best balances of flavour. You can go for sweet apple varieties such as Fuji, Golden Delicious, Braeburn, or Jazz apple. Or apples that are tart, tangy and sweet such as Pink Lady or Granny Smith. Bramley apples tend to be very sour, so you will need to add loads of sugar to bring out the flavour, its best to steer clear of them!
It is okay to use older apples to make applesauce, they will be softer, so therefore cook quicker.
Peel, Core & Chop Those Apples
This is really the longest part about making applesauce. I know it is can be a tedious task, but once you get a rhythm going, they are done in no time.
You can use a Y Peeler or a paring knife. I must admit I do prefer the old fashioned way of peeling apples, even though I have two Y Peelers in my kitchen draw! My Dad taught me how to peel apples with a knife and that is a happy memory that has stuck with me. I know call me soppy! Anyway, back to the making the applesauce!
Use an Apple Corer, or cut the core away with a paring knife. Then slice and chop your apples into small pieces. The size of your apples will impact how fast they cook, so cut them up into pieces that are about 1 inch in size.
Gather The Ingredients
Since apples are already sweet and contain natural fructose, you can choose to omit the sugar or control how much sugar you add. Another way to bring in flavour without adding too much sugar is to add extra cinnamon or other spices.
Tips For Making Applesauce
If you don’t have any lemon juice, just substitute it with some apple cider vinegar.
I like to add some lemon zest to my applesauce; the flavour of apple and lemon compliment each other really well. Some like to add orange zest.
You can add extra spices such as nutmeg, clove or ginger for a flavour boost or add a few cinnamon sticks in the pot along with the other spices.
If you want to add more sugar to your apple sauce, wait until the apples have fully cooked. The natural sweetness comes out more once the apples are cooked, therefore you might need to add less sugar than you initially thought.
Storing Applesauce
Applesauce can be stored in a fridge for up to two months and when stored properly in the freezer, it will stay fresh for up to two years.
You will need to sterilise your jar first, this is an important step to ensure no harmful bacteria can build up and spoil all your hard work.
Follow this simple guide outlined by Great British Chefs for sterilising jars:
Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F)/gas mark 3.
Wash the jars and lids in hot soapy water and rinse but don’t dry them.
Place the jars onto a baking tray and into the oven for 10 minutes.
Soak the lids in boiling water for a few minutes.
Unsweetened Applesauce
Is a Great Substitute For Oil Or Eggs
We know that applesauce is fabulous for desserts. However, did you know it can be used as a baking substitute for both oil and eggs? The consistency of your baked goods maybe a little softer and sweeter, but it still does a great job.
You can swap the oil in recipes at a ratio of 1:1 for unsweetened applesauce. If you are vegan or can not have eggs, substitute 1 large egg for 1/4 cup of applesauce. This substitute options works best in recipes containing no more than 3 eggs.
Serving Suggestions For Your Homemade Applesauce
Applesauce works great with classic vanilla ice cream, pancakes, crepes, waffles, cakes, hot oat cereals, granola, even savoury meat dishes.
What will you serve your Applesauce with?
If you like this Applesauce Recipe and found this blog informative, then let me know by tagging me on facebook or Instagram. I would love to see your baking creations.
EASY HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE
Ingredients
- 4 Apples - Peeled, cored and chopped
- 1tbsp + 1/2 tsp Fresh lemon juice
- 1 Lemon grated
- 1/3 - 1/2 cup Water (gauge this depending on how much sugar you add)
- 40g (1/4 cup) White sugar
- 1/4 - 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon (add according to your taste)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare all of the ingredients. Use a Y Peeler or paring knife to peel the apples and an Apple Corer to core the apples or cut the core away with a paring knife. Cut the apples into quarters, then chop into chucks of about 1-inch in size.
- In a pot/saucepan add the apples and combine with the water, sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, lemon zest and salt. Cover and cook over a medium heat for 15 minutes, or until the apples are soft.
- Allow to cool then mash with a fork, potato masher, stick blender or food processor, until it becomes a purée.
- Check out the tips to help with making the applesauce, storing, uses and suggestions.
Notes:
Tips For Making Applesauce
- If you don’t have any lemon juice, just substitute it with some apple cider vinegar.
- If the applesauce is too think, add more water to think it out.
- In this recipe we added lemon zest. You could also try adding orange zest.
- You can add extra spices such as nutmeg, clove or ginger or a flavour boost or add a few cinnamon sticks in the pot along with the other spices.
- If you want to add more sugar to your apple sauce, wait until the apples have fully cooked. The natural sweetness comes out more once the apples are cooked, therefore you mind you need to add less sugar than you initially thought.
Storing Applesauce
Applesauce can be stored in a fridge for up to two months and when stored properly in the freezer, it will stay fresh for up to two years.
You will need to sterilise your jar first, this is an important step to ensure no harmful bacteria can build up and spoil all your hard work.
Follow this simple guide outlined by Great British Chefs for sterilising jars:
- Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F)/gas mark 3.
- Wash the jars and lids in hot soapy water and rinse but don’t dry them.
- Place the jars onto a baking tray and into the oven for 10 minutes.
- Soak the lids in boiling water for a few minutes.
Unsweetened Applesauce
Is a Great Substitute For Oil Or Eggs
We know that applesauce is fabulous for desserts. However, did you know it can be used as a baking substitute for both oil and eggs? The consistency of your baked goods maybe a little softer and sweeter, but it still does a great job.
You can swap the oil in recipes at a ratio of 1:1 for unsweetened applesauce. If you are vegan or can not have eggs, substitute 1 large egg for 1/4 cup of applesauce. This substitute options works best when in recipes containing no more than 3 eggs.
Serving Suggestions For Your Homemade Applesauce
Applesauce works great with classic vanilla ice cream, pancakes, crepes, waffles, cakes, hot oat cereals, granola, even savoury meat dishes.
Calories
139.77Fat (grams)
0.38Sat. Fat (grams)
0.06Carbs (grams)
37.20Fiber (grams)
5.00Net carbs
32.20Sugar (grams)
29.43Protein (grams)
0.71Sodium (milligrams)
35.79Cholesterol (grams)
0.00