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Easy Stovetop Homemade Applesauce Recipe

A close-up, appetizing shot of thick, spiced applesauce in a white bowl, with fresh apples blurred in the background.
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Make this easy homemade applesauce on the stovetop. It is naturally sweet, perfect for snacks, side dishes, or baking, and captures the cozy flavor of fall apples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 lbs apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash the apples well. You may peel them if you prefer a very smooth texture, but peeling is optional for this recipe. Core the apples and cut them into 1-inch chunks.
  2. Place the apple chunks, water, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a large pot or Dutch oven. Add lemon juice now if you are using it.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. The apples are done when they are very soft and easily mashable with a fork.
  6. Remove the pot from the heat. If you want 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.
  7. Taste the applesauce. If you desire more sweetness, stir in a small amount of maple syrup or sugar.
  8. Serve the homemade applesauce warm, or cool it completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • This recipe makes a naturally sweet applesauce, but you can add 1 to 2 tablespoons of maple syrup or brown sugar if your apples are tart.
  • For a cozy fall aroma, add one whole cinnamon stick during cooking and remove it before serving.
  • This applesauce is freezer-friendly; cool it completely before freezing in freezer-safe containers.

Nutrition

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