Homemade Applesauce

Throughout the fall, I took the kids to Belkin Lookout Farm for loads of apple picking and train rides.  Every week I made a big vat of homemade applesauce.  So many friends ask how I make it so here is my recipe.  It’s super simple, healthy, reduces plastic waste, and is affordable.

1. Wash apples thoroughly, core and chop into small pieces. I process mine in a Food Mill after cooking so I leave the skin on.  This adds more fiber to the applesauce, but also gives it a pretty pink color. It’s just as I remember my Nana’s applesauce, with a little less sweetness.

2. Add about a 1/2” of water in the pot and heat on medium low for about 15 minutes, or until apples are mushy. (I am feeding the applesauce to my little guy so I use water instead of cider.  The cider does give it just a little more flavor.)  Add 3 cinnamon sticks to a large pot, but you could also add about 1 tsp ground cinnamon as well.

3. Set a Food Mill over a large bowl.  Once apples are cooled, process in food mill. Remember to discard the cinnamon sticks.  I add a large scoop at a time and process it for a few minutes.  Make sure you scrape the bottom of the food mill to get all the sauce.

4. Store applesauce in the refrigerator for up to one week.  It doesn’t usually last that long in our house as we use it for baby food, toddler snack and as a side dish with roast chicken.

It does take a few minutes to get it all done, but it’s totally worth it.

Follow Me
/8 Comments/by
8 replies
  1. Katie says:

    I had Epic Plans for making applesauce and apple butter this year with the pounds and pounds of apples I usually get from an orchard near here…but apparently the apple crop failed this year, or something. So I have no apples and the Epic Plans have failed.

    I may try this with store-bought apples, though…applesauce is so yummy. 🙂

  3. Anonymous says:

    Wonderful! Thanks so much for posting this. I don't have a food mill, so I peeled my apples and then just mashed with a potato masher – they fall apart easily. Or putting them in a blender or food processor might work, even with peels.

  4. Random Recycling says:

    If you don't have a food mill, you can peel the apples and use a potato masher, immersion blender or transfer to a food processor. It won't be pink, but it will be just as tasty.

  6. Genevieve says:

    skee-rumptious! Love homemade applesauce. i usually just cook mine down and then hit it with the immersion blender. The key for me is to mix the types of apples. Yum, yum!

Comments are closed.