There is something special about homemade applesauce. It is one of those convenience foods that we all take for granted, we can easily forget how simple it is to make our own.
Applesauce is one of those foods that I can just about guarantee Sam will eat. When he turns his nose up at everything else at least I always have a jar of applesauce handy for my picky eater.
Today, I made simple unsweetened applesauce. But you can easily add sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup, or honey to give it a little something extra.
Homemade Applesauce
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds apples, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup apple juice, apple cider, or water
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Optional: 1/2 brown sugar, white sugar, maple syrup, or honey
- Optional: 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions: Peel and chop the apples. Discard the peels and the cores, place the remaining apple flesh into a large pot. Once all of the apples are peeled add the apple juice, lemon juice and the optional sweeteners and spices. Stir to evenly combine everything and cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until the apples are completely tender and falling apart. Remove from heat and either serve, puree with a blender, or mash with a potato masher. Allow to cool and enjoy!
Step-by-Step Photos
Apples, apples, apples, galor! Does anybody else remember the silly trick from elementary school where you were supposed to hold the end of your tongue and say “apple” but it sounded like a naughty word instead?
Anybody? … Okay, just me? What can I say, I live wildly.
These babies were on sale, a little bruised and ugly but a sale is a sale!
What do you do with ugly apples? Make applesauce!
You can use whatever apples your little heart longs for. You’ll also want some liquid to get things started and the juice of a lemon to help the apples from turning too brown.
Look at me, I’m an iron chef!
How satisfying is that? Sometimes I make it all pretty like this and sometimes I’m lucky if it doesn’t take me five minutes just to peel one apple.
I usually set up two bowls when I’m doing this, one bowl for discards and a pot big enough to hold all of the delicious apple flesh.
I’m too lazy to cut the apples into uniform slices, it’s all going to get mashed anyways.
Ta-da!
Now that my hands are nice and sore, I’m finally done peeling.
Maybe it’s time I did some hand exercises.
Does anybody do that anymore?
Now pour in your liquid. I usually use apple juice or water, you just need a little bit to get the steaming process started.
Hulk squeeze that lemon! This darn thing was old as the hills and just about dried up but I managed to get a good amount of juice squeezed out.
This is where you would add your sweeteners and spices if you wanted to add other flavors but today I’m makin’ the plain ol’ unsweeted variety. I prefer to feed my toddler sugar free applesauce because lord knows he doesn’t need any more sugar! I also prefer to bake with unsweetened applesauce.
I feel so impressive when I present a baked good that used my own applesauce. I feel like real bona fide homemaker!
Plop a cover on your pan and cook these apples over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, depending on the type of apple you choose it may be a bit longer.
You’ll know they are done when they break up easily and feel completely tender and squishy.
It’s a good squishy don’t worry. I just can’t think of a more appropriate description.
Sometimes I use my blender or immersion blender, other times (most of the time) I just use my trusty potato masher.
If you are making this as baby food you’ll want to use the blender to make sure it is nice and smooth. Add more juice or water until you get to the consistency you’re looking for.
But for today, I used my potato masher and went to town on it until the apple sauce was almost completely smooth but still had a little texture.
After it was all said and done, I had enough to fill a quart jar, plus one serving for Mr. Sam’s lunch. Is it easier to grab a jar off the shelf at the supermarket? Sure. But if you like to know exactly what is going into your kiddos food this is such an easy thing to make. It just takes some patience to peel all of those silly apples.
Worth it!
Modest Bites 