Homemade Applesauce Recipe

Homemade Applesauce outshines any store bought applesauce brand you can imagine. It is easy to make, simple to store and have on hand, versatile and customizable to your tastes. We are walking you through how to make the best applesauce by selecting the proper apples, freeze it for long term storage, and ways you can incorporate it into other baked goods.

Everything is brighter with a pot of warmed, homemade applesauce next to a pork roast, or stirred into our morning yogurt and granola, over pancakes, and in muffins.

If you grow your own apples making your own applesauce is a fantastic way to enjoy this fruit and preserve it for future eating. If you don’t grow your own apples, making your own applesauce is still a fantastic way to enjoy a healthier applesauce in an inexpensive way.

We suggest working to source your apples locally and from a pesticide free orchard if possible. Even if it isn’t, purchasing apples from your local grocer and making your own sauce is still preferred over store bought sauces as they are usually filled with preservatives, refined sugars and even gums or fillers.

What apples are best for Applesauce?

Most apples will work beautifully for applesauce and it comes down to your preference for the level of sweetness, texture, and method of cooking. Sweeter apples include Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Honeycrisp; they will require minimal added sugars or spices.

Mildly sweet apples would be Macintosh, Jonagold and Granny Smith. These apples yield a beautifully flavor filled applesauce that is more balanced between sweet and tart, requiring a bit of extra sugar and will pair well with spices like cinnamon and clove.

Tart apples that you can use for applesauce are varieties like Jonathon and Cortland. These apples will be crisp and firm, great for a chunkier applesauce and will have a low amount of sweetness with a brighter flavor.

How long does Homemade Applesauce last?

A homemade applesauce will need to be refrigerated and eaten within 7-10 days for optimal freshness. You can can or freeze homemade applesauce for longer storage of at least 6 months.

What can you add to Applesauce?

Applesauce is a beautifully simple staple food that can be eaten all on its own, making it convenient and delicious. But, it can also be dressed up with additional spices to add depth of flavor, boost sweetness, and bring richness to baked goods. Some of our favorites include

• Maple syrup for a natural sweetener with rich undertones.
• Browned butter which will bring a nutty, creamy flavor to your applesauce.
• Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for a delicious fall flavored sauce
• Blend pears or other fruits and combine with your applesauce
• Top with chopped nuts or granola

How do you make Applesauce?

Applesauce is made on your stovetop by slowly simmering the apples until they are cooked and soft, ready to be blended into a silky smooth sauce. The apples can be cooked in water or spiced apple cider for a deep infusion of flavor.

The apples can be peeled and cored beforehand, but it is not necessary. If you do not prep the apples, they will need to be run through a food mill after they have cooked down to remove the skins and seeds before blending.

• Start with a load of washed apples of your choice
• Quarter and core them for easier handling and quicker cook time
• Put the apple pieces into a large cooking pot and set on simmer with a couple of inches of water in the bottom of the pot.
• Start with a couple of inches and stir the pot every so often to make sure they don’t stick to the pot’s bottom and burn. If more is needed, add it in small amounts.

• Allow the apples to cook down and release their juices, so be careful not to add too much water
• Once the apples are soft and the skins can be lifted off of the slices, the sauce is ready.

Using a Food Mill

• The food mill will separate the cooked apples from their skins, seeds and cores. it also creates a smooth mush and crushes any remaining soft apple chunks.

• If you prefer a slightly chunky applesauce, you will want to skip the food mill.
• At this point your applesauce is ready to eat, season or store.

How do I freeze Applesauce?

Once your applesauce is cooked, allow it to fully cool, season if desired and ladle into airtight freezer safe bags. Remove all of the excess air from the bags and close tightly. Label and date the bags, lay them flat in the freezer and enjoy up to 6 months later. When you are ready to eat it, remove from the freezer and allow it to slowly thaw at room temperature or in your fridge.

Here’s a page of vacuum sealers on Amazon, vacuum sealers are a great kitchen tool to have on hand for all sorts of food storage and freezing.

Canning your applesauce is another great way to store it. If you’re interested in canning and need supplies for that try this affiliate link to canning supplies. Our post on canning salsa give tips and links on home canning if you need help with that.