Homemade applesauce is so easy you may never go back to store bought applesauce again! Apples provide their own sweetness and create such a delicious side dish that is perfect for the holiday season menu.
Fall is apple season and there is never a better time of the year to make sure you have all your recipes ready to go apple picking! Even if you are not lucky enough to have an orchard near you, most farmers markets and local grocery have tons of apple varieties that help making your own homemade applesauce not only super easy, but a treat.
Homemade Applesauce Ingredients
This is the BEST recipe!
- 6 large, or 12 small, Gala apples
- 1-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
Also Need:
- Apple Slicer
- Potato Masher
- Food Processor
(if serving smooth)
Recipe Tips: I use an apple slicer and get 8 slices then I take a knife and cut those pieces into thin slices.
This helps to cut down on the cooking time.
Best Apples for Applesauce
What I love about working with apples is how many kinds of flavors and textures there are! I think we all have our favorites, whether those are red, yellow, green or a mixture.
Certain apples have a traditional flavor we can count on for our applesauce, ciders, crumbles and more but my favorite apples for applesauce are as following:
- Gala (as is used in this recipe)
- Fuji
- Honeycrisp
- Golden Delicious
- Melrose
- Courtland
These apples provide a variety of sweet and tart flavors and don’t be afraid to mix them up!
Can you Freeze homemade Applesauce?
You can! Typically your fresh applesauce will last about 7-10 days in the fridge but usually there is so much left over that you do not want to waste! You can also freeze your homemade applesauce and it will keep for about 2 months in a freezer.
Simply store safety and freeze and then let thaw in your fridge when you are ready to eat. Once defrosted you should eat within a few days.
How to store Applesauce for Freezing?
- Canning jars (Do not overfill)
- Plastic Gallon Bags
- Covered containers
- Mason Jars
Homemade Applesauce for Babies
This recipe works fine for babies although some parents may want to keep the brown sugar out.
Just be careful of too many chunks and it’s recommended to add your cooled ingredients to a food processor to be sure there are not choking pieces prior to serving your fresh homemade applesauce to a baby or child.
How to make Applesauce
Peel and slice apples and add apples into a saucepan.
Add water and cinnamon and mix well.
Heat over medium low until mixture begins to boil.
Cover and reduce heat to simmer.
Cook for about 20 minutes or until apples are tender and mushy.
Stir in brown sugar and mash with a potato masher to make a chunky applesauce with your desired consistency.
Makes 2 cups and tastes delicious served over ice cream.
Fall Side Dish Recipes
Need more fall friendly side dish recipes?
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
- Keto Thanksgiving Sides
- Honey Glazed Oven Roasted Carrots
- Classic Green Bean Casserole
Homemade applesauce is so easy you may never go back to store bought applesauce again! Apples provide their own sweetness and create such a delicious side dish that is perfect for the holiday season menu. The BEST Chunky Applesauce recipe with cinnamon and brown sugar
- 6 large or 12 small, Gala apples
- 1-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- Peel and slice apples and place them into a saucepan.
- Add water and cinnamon and mix well.
- Heat on medium low until mixture begins to boil.
- Cover and reduce heat to simmer.
- Cook for about 20 minutes or until apples are mushy.
- Stir in brown sugar and mash with a potato masher to make a chunky apple sauce.
- Makes 2 cups.
