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Easy Stovetop Homemade Applesauce with Cinnamon

A spoonful of rich, brown spiced applesauce is lifted from a small white bowl, showing its chunky texture.
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Make comforting homemade applesauce on the stovetop. This recipe is quick, requires few ingredients, and yields a naturally sweet, flavorful sauce perfect for a healthy snack or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 lbs apples (a mix of tart like Granny Smith and sweet like Fuji or Gala)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar or brown sugar (optional, adjust to taste)

Instructions

  1. Wash, peel, core, and chop your apples into roughly 1-inch pieces. Do not worry about perfect uniformity since you will be mashing them later.
  2. Place the chopped apples, water, and optional sugar into a large saucepan or Dutch oven.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 to 25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The apples are done when they are very tender and easily mashable with a fork.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the ground cinnamon and lemon juice, if using.
  6. Decide on your texture: For chunky applesauce, use a potato masher to break down the apples to your desired consistency. For smooth applesauce, use an immersion blender carefully, or transfer in batches to a regular blender, blending until smooth.
  7. Taste the applesauce. Add more sugar if you prefer it sweeter, or a pinch more cinnamon if desired.
  8. Serve warm as a side dish or allow it to cool completely before storing.

Notes

  • For freezer-friendly applesauce, cool completely, then transfer to airtight, freezer-safe containers, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace. It keeps well for up to 3 months.
  • This recipe works well for making unsweetened applesauce; simply omit the added sugar entirely.
  • Use this homemade applesauce as a healthy baking substitute in recipes like muffins or cakes.

Nutrition

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