Applesauce

Print This Recipe Print This RecipeHomemade Applesauce
I hate applesauce. Mushed apples and water? Blech. I like my apples crisp with a nice crunch when I bite into them. So when I noticed the apples in my fridge (yes, I keep apples in the fridge) were going soft, I knew I had to do something with them. And since I had over-ripe bananas in the freezer, I figured this was the perfect time to make applesauce to use in a low fat banana muffin recipe (coming soon!) I had bookmarked earlier in the week.

I scoured the Internet for applesauce recipes and with the help of Rachel over at Coconut & Lime (she’s so patient!), I got to work. I was pleasantly surprised to learn applesauce is extremely easy to make (and not so surprised to find that I still don’t like it). I didn’t add much sugar since I knew I was going to bake with it, but if you’re planning to eat it and are using tart apples, throw it in. Also, I divided it into small individual Glad containers which I froze to use in future recipes.

Ingredients
4 apples (I used Fujis)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sugar, optional
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, optional

Preparation

  1. Peel, core, and slice apples.
  2. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon. Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes, or until the apples are soft enough to mash.
  3. Mash with a fork (or pulse in a food processor like I did).

Yields approximately three cups.

Comments

7 Responses to “Applesauce”

    Elyse on 1 May 18th, 2009 7:54 pm

    Even if you don’t like applesauce, I think it’s a genius idea to use your overripe apples to make sauce for your baked goods. Genius! I may just have to try this sometime.

    Seanna Lea on 2 May 19th, 2009 1:28 pm

    I have a really nice recipe for Gingered Applesauce, which would be probably a great ingredient to add to cookies. I’ll have to try that next time I make some (I usually just eat it).

    dena on 3 May 20th, 2009 7:06 am

    Were the apples peeled, cored and/or chopped or just tossed into the saucepan whole?

    Hilary on 4 May 20th, 2009 8:21 am

    Dena, sorry about that. I peeled, cored, and sliced mine. From what I read online, you don’t need to peel, but you will end up with a lumpier applesauce that way.

    I’ll fix the recipe in a bit, thanks!

    howtoeatacupcake on 5 May 21st, 2009 3:35 pm

    I love applesauce! Thanks for this recipe! ;D

    Btw, I heard about refrigerating apples on Good Eats. I do it all the time now!

    Hilary on 6 May 21st, 2009 4:03 pm

    @howtoeatacupcake – what did he say about keeping them in the fridge?

    EstherK on 7 August 19th, 2009 1:22 pm

    I know it’s a little ghetto to “cook” with soda, but in my family we always made apple sauce (and fruit compote, too) with diet 7-Up or Sprite – combines the liquid needed to cook the apples without burning them with the sweetness, and a hint of lemon (or Lymon) that’s sometimes really nice in applesauce. If you like applesauce, which clearly you don’t. 🙂