Homemade applesauce is a favorite recipe for making use of fresh fall apples.

A simple blend of apples, sugar, and cinnamon is all you need for this applesauce recipe. Perfect and fresh!

a bowl of homemade applesauce being stirred with a wooden spoon

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 for Applesauce

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.

A sweeter apple will make a sweeter sauce, while a tart apple (like Granny Smith) will result in a more tart sauce. You can add extra sweetener if needed. Try an assortment or mixture of your favorites.

How to Make Applesauce

cinnamon apples in a dutch oven with a white spatula

Peel, core, and chop the apples (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 according to the sweetness of the apple.
You can also cook this in a crock pot. 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 kid snack, seal in snack-sized freezer bags, an airtight container, or reusable applesauce pouches, and squeeze out from one corner just like the ones you see at the store.

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.

How to Store Applesauce

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.

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

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Homemade Applesauce

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 to 4 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 150 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.

Homemade Applesauce Recipe in a bowl with a wooden spoon and writing

perfect Homemade Applesauce Recipe in the pot with writing

5 from 150 votes (123 ratings without comment)

Comments

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!