This homemade apple sauce recipe is super easy and very adaptable.
Apple sauce is popular as a side dish in Europe and North America. In the UK, it often accompanies meat dishes like goose or pork. I add a couple of spoonfuls to my bowl of yogurt or with some vanilla ice cream. it also goes with pancakes. Many baking recipes use apple sauce as fat or egg substitutes.
A few pointers-
Which apple variety?
I use whatever apples I have available. In this recipe, I have used McIntosh apples. Some apples like these cook easily, so chop them accordingly.
To peel or not to peel?
In this recipe I have peeled the apples as I wanted to avoid the extra step of pureeing it. If you keep the skin on and don’t puree it, the bits of skin will feel unpleasant. You can keep the peel on and cook the apples; just puree everything in the blender.
Sugar or sugar free?
This is entirely your choice and depends on the sweetness of the apples used and also about your sweetness preference. Once the apples are cooked, taste it. At this stage, add sugar (if using any) as per your taste. Then return the pot to the cooker and cook for a few minutes more to dissolve the sugar. You can also add other heathier alternatives to sugar (for example, honey). Mine was sugar free did not add any sugar as I liked the natural sweetness of the sauce. The basic, unsweetened apple sauce can also be given to babies (check with your doctor though about the right age of babies to feed this and in what quantity).
Chunky or smooth?
Again, it’s up to you. Use a little less water if you want it chunky. Once cooked, you can mash the apples with a fork or potato masher and keep a little texture. This is how I prefer it; not too chunky, and not a puree. If feeding babies, make sure to puree it in a blender.
Spices–
Cinnamon is the hot favourite, but other spices like five spice, pumpkin spice etc can also be added. In this recipe, I have used just a stick of cinnamon while cooking the apples, and discarded it before mashing.
Lemon or no lemon?
Many recipes use no lemon, but I like to add a little amount to preserve the colour, enhance the taste and to keep it for longer.
Storage-
Store the apple sauce in a sterilised jar. Once completely cooled, store in the fridge. After cooling completely, this apple sauce can also be stored in the freezer in freezer safe containers/bags.
Continue reading for the full / printable homemade apple sauce recipe.
All the condiment recipes can be found here.
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Homemade apple sauce recipe
Ingredients
- 2 apples, about 260gms in total, peeled, cored, sliced and chopped into small pieces- see notes below
- 1 two inch stick of cinnamon
- ¾ cup water, may need a little more
Optional
- sugar (as per taste)- see notes below
- 1 tsp lemon juice- see notes below
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, add the apple, cinnamon stick and water.
- Put the pan over high heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 15 minutes or till the apple is cooked and tender. Keep stirring every now and then. If the water evaporates before the apples are cooked, add a little more water.
- Remove from heat and discard the stick off cinnamon.
- Mash with a fork or potato masher to the desired consistency. Keep it as chunky or as smooth as you wish (see notes below)
- Check the sweetness and add sugar if needed. I didn't add any as my apples were quite sweet and I liked it that way. Add the sugar as per your taste, a little at a time. You can also add the sugar at the very beginning along with the apple, water and cinnamon. But if I choose to add any sweeteners, I like to do it now.
- Add the lemon juice if using. I used it to add enhance the taste and retain the colour.
- If using sugar, return the pan to the stovetop and cook for a couple more minutes or till the sugar dissolves.
- Transfer the apple sauce to a sterilised jar. When it cools completely, screw the lid on and store in the fridge.
Notes
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Until next time,
Sunita
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