Homemade Applesauce

Homemade Applesauce has to be THE easiest thing on earth to make.  And possibly the most gratifying. Never mind the fact that you can make it with just a couple of ingredients in thirty minutes; applesauce is packed with goodness in every bite (and you can freeze it!).  Here’s my quick and easy recipe. 

This applesauce leaves your house smelling AMAZING!  My mom has always made applesauce in the fall, always using fresh local apples, making this a bit of a tradition for me. We have been on a bit of an apple kick lately.  Apples are just so versatile and keep really well (and Charlie loves them in his lunch cut up with a sprinkle of cinnamon), I always have a stock of them in the fridge or on the counter.

I use a good heavy-bottomed pot like my Staub ^[1]one to make my applesauce. I swear it is better than therapy having it simmering away on the stove with some music playing in my kitchen on a dreary afternoon.

Which Apples are Best for Apple Sauce?

Now, apples aren’t all created equal.  I visited BC Tree Fruits Warehouse in Kelowna to buy my apples and am always shocked at how many varieties there are!  Some apples retain their shape and texture when cooked like Gala, Granny Smith and Ambrosia. I love adding these varieties to salads, especially the Ambrosia ones as they don’t brown. Others such as MacIntosh and Spartans cook down and really soften: these are perfect for applesauce!

All that being said I have made applesauce with Gala apples and it turned out well.  If you like your applesauce chunky leave it just as-is once you cook it. Otherwise you can take a potato masher to make it more smooth and less chunky.

Ways to use Homemade Applesauce

You can add a handful of brown sugar to the applesauce if you want. I personally think it is sweet enough on its own.  I promise that you will never buy applesauce again once you make your own!  Freeze extras in smaller containers for adding to baking (it can be a replacer for oil in some baking recipes), yogurt parfaits (try it with this Apple Crisp Granola ^[2] – soooo good!), smoothies or simply as a wholesome treat for lunches.

I’ll leave you with a fun nutrition fact: cinnamon is known to have many ‘medicinal’ qualities. It may lower blood sugar in those with diabetes, calm inflammation, boost brain function and potentially help with weight loss!

If you’re like me and buy apples by the truckload I recommend trying out these Lunchbox Apple Oat Bars, ^[3] this Gluten Free Apple Crisp ^[4], or use your Homemade Applesauce in these delicious Double Apple Muffins ^[5].