Description

This Perfect Homemade Applesauce recipe yields a naturally sweet and flavorful sauce made from crisp sweet apples, infused with cinnamon and vanilla. It’s gently cooked on the stovetop to a soft, tender consistency, then mashed or blended to your preference. You can customize the sweetness to your taste, and it’s a versatile accompaniment for desserts, breakfasts, or savory dishes.

Ingredients

Scale

Apples

4 pounds (1.8 kg) crisp sweet apples, rinsed (about 8 large apples)

Flavorings

One 3-inch cinnamon stick or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, fresh orange juice, or apple cider vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 to 2 whole star anise, optional

Sweetener (Optional)

Brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or other sweetener to taste

Additional

1/4 cup water (plus extra as needed for cooking)

Instructions

Prepare the apples: Peel the apples if desired, then remove the cores and cut the apples into large chunks or wedges for even cooking and easy mashing.
Combine ingredients: Place the apples, cinnamon stick, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and star anise (if using) into a large, heavy pot. Add 1/4 cup of water and stir to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Cook apples: Cover the pot with its lid and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Allow the apples to soften completely, which will take about 25 to 35 minutes. Check periodically to ensure the pot doesn’t dry out, adding more water if necessary and adjusting heat to prevent burning.
Cool and sweeten: Remove the lid and let the apples cool slightly. Taste the applesauce and add sweetener if you prefer—start with one teaspoon and add more gradually to achieve the desired sweetness.
Mash or blend: Mash the softened apples with a fork or potato masher for a chunky texture, or blend smooth using a food processor, blender, or a food mill fitted with a medium disk. If you keep the skins on, a food mill is great for separating them out. Passing the sauce through a fine mesh strainer is another method to remove skin bits.
Adjust consistency: The applesauce will thicken as it cools. If the consistency seems too watery, return it to the pot and simmer gently until it reaches the desired thickness.

Notes

Peeling apples is optional; leaving the skins on adds fiber and nutrients but will give the sauce a slightly different texture and color.
Adjust sweetness based on the tartness of your apples and personal preference.
Star anise adds a subtle licorice flavor but can be omitted if preferred.
Use a heavy pot to help prevent scorching during cooking.
Store homemade applesauce refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week, or freeze for longer preservation.
This recipe is naturally gluten free and can be made vegan by selecting plant-based sweeteners.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Sauce
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: homemade applesauce, easy applesauce recipe, stovetop applesauce, cinnamon applesauce, fruit sauce