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Homemade applesauce is one of my favorite recipes for using fresh fall apples. It’s a simple blend of apples, sugar, and cinnamon for the perfect, fresh fall flavors!

bowl of Applesauce Recipe with cinnamon sticks beside it

It needs only 3 ingredients plus a splash of water.
You can use any variety of apples.
It’s healthy and delicious, make it to your liking and add a little or a lot of sugar and spice.
This recipe freezes well and makes a great snack, or even a dessert served warm with a scoop of ice cream.

The Best Apples to Use:

Any kind of apple is great for homemade applesauce. Try a combination of any of the following: Granny Smith, Gala, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, or Fujis.

Keep in mind that a sweeter apple will make a sweeter sauce, while a tart apple (like Granny Smith) will result in a tart sauce. You can add an extra sweetener if needed, or find your perfect balance of tart and sweet apples.

cinnamon apples in a dutch oven with a white spatula

How to Make Applesauce

Peel, core, and chop the apples (full recipe below).
Cook the apples with cinnamon, water, and sugar. Stir occasionally.
Mash apples with a masher or blend until smooth.

Serve as a dessert with yogurt or over vanilla ice cream, or as a side with pork chops!

Variations

Swap the water for your favorite juice or apple cider.
Add extra spices like pumpkin pie spice or a pinch of nutmeg.
Sugar can be substituted for a sweetener of your choice. Adjust the sweetness according to the apple’s sweetness.
You can also cook this in a crockpot. Set it on low for about 3 hours.

cinnamon apples being mashed in a dutch oven

cinnamon apples being blended with a hand blender in a pot

Mash with a potato masher for a chunkier texture or use an immersion blender (or food processor) to create a smoother apple sauce.

For a quick snack, seal in snack-sized freezer bags, an airtight container, or reusable applesauce pouches.

Use applesauce to replace some of the oil in baked goods like carrot cake or muffins or even added to banana breakfast cookies. Or serve them with overnight oats.

Storing Leftovers

Homemade applesauce will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator. Place the applesauce into small containers or freezer bags. I like to freeze it in one-cup portions for up to four months.

Delicious Ways to Use Apples

Did you enjoy this Homemade Applesauce? Leave a comment or rating below!

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

close up of homemade applesauce in a bowl with a spoon in it

5 from 154 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Applesauce Recipe

Homemade applesauce is an easy way to preserve the fall harvest. Applesauce can be used as an oil substitute and makes baking light and fluffy.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Total Time 45

Servings 8 servings

Author Holly Nilsson

Equipment

Potato Masher or immersion blender
Saucepan

Ingredients

▢ 3 pounds apples peeled, cored, and chopped, about 6 medium
▢ ⅓ cup water
▢ 2 tablespoons granulated sugar or to taste
▢ ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low simmer and cover.
Cook 15-20 minutes or until apples are very tender. Remove lid and simmer an additional 5 minutes to thicken.
Mash apples with a masher for a chunky consistency or blend/puree with an immersion blender for a smooth consistency.
Serve warm or chilled.

Notes

This recipe makes approximately 4 cups of applesauce.

*Apple sauce may need more or less sugar based on the variety of apples. If apples are very sweet, reduce the sugar to 2 tablespoons if desired. If they’re very tart, add more.

Mash with a potato masher for a chunkier consistency or use an immersion blender to create a smoother apple sauce.

Applesauce can be blended in a traditional blender. Ensure the lid is not sealed tightly while the apples are warm or the steam can build up. You may need to add a little bit of liquid to blend smoothly. If you add liquid, the blended sauce can be simmered on medium-low heat until thickened.

Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for 1 week and 4 months in the freezer.

5 from 154 votes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

Applesauce Recipe in a bowl with a wooden spoon and a title

spiced and fruity Applesauce Recipe with writing

sweet and tart Applesauce Recipe in a bowl with a title

Applesauce Recipe in a pot and plated with a title

5 from 154 votes (123 ratings without comment)

Comments

Jan McCollister says:

October 20, 2025 at 4:45 pm

easy quick to prepare delicious!!

Marty Collins says:

October 18, 2025 at 8:11 am

I swapped out the sugar for Dark Brown Sugar ( I love the molasses flavour that it adds) and the water for the syrup from a can of mixed fruit. The results were amazing! Great recipe as is and even better when you add your own spin.

Carolyn Rossi says:

October 12, 2025 at 1:57 pm

Such an easy recipe. My applesauce came out exactly as I hoped it would. Yummy!

Linda says:

September 18, 2025 at 6:54 pm

Great recipes!

Bonnie says:

September 16, 2025 at 8:16 pm

Easy peasy

Dorothy L says:

April 17, 2025 at 7:46 am

So simple and a good way to use extra stored apples.
It will be a nice side dish with the baked ham at Easter time.
This will be used again.

Maureen Tanquary says:

April 7, 2025 at 1:25 pm

Perfect!

Applesauce Recipe

You’ll Love This Homemade Applesauce Because…

The Best Apples to Use: