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Easy Stovetop Homemade Applesauce Recipe

Close-up of homemade applesauce, spiced with cinnamon, served in a small white ramekin.
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Make the best homemade applesauce with this simple stovetop recipe. It is naturally sweet, perfect for snacks, baking, or as a cozy fall side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 pounds apples (like Honeycrisp or Gala), cored and quartered
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for brightness)

Instructions

  1. Place the apple quarters, water, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a large pot. If you want a brighter flavor, add the lemon juice now.
  2. Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
  3. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The apples are done when they are very tender and easily mash with a fork.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat. If you prefer smooth applesauce, use an immersion blender or transfer the mixture carefully to a standard blender and process until smooth. For chunky applesauce, simply mash the apples lightly with a potato masher or a sturdy fork.
  5. Taste the applesauce. If you desire more sweetness, add a small amount of maple syrup or sugar, stirring until dissolved.
  6. Serve the homemade applesauce warm, or transfer it to an airtight container and chill it in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Notes

  • For a no peel applesauce variation, simply peel the apples before coring and quartering them.
  • This recipe captures the essence of fall apple recipes; feel free to add a pinch of ground ginger for extra warmth.
  • This simple 3 ingredient applesauce base (apples, water, cinnamon) works well for freezing; cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe bags.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/easy-applesauce-stovetop-recipe/