This is the Easiest Homemade Applesauce you’ll ever make!
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I’m here to let you in on a little secret. The easiest homemade applesauce can be made in under an hour and only has one ingredient. Shocked? I know I was when I learned how to make it last year with my friend Stephanie from Happily Homegrown.
We have an apple orchard around that sells seconds on apples later in the season. Nothing is wrong with these apple except maybe a bruise here or there. Sometimes it’s just an odd shape. Apparently, grocery stores won’t take odd shaped apples and instead insist on uniform perfection due to Americans high expectations of food. Luckily, in this case, I win. You can get two huge baskets of apples (I’m talking like 50+ lbs) for about $20.
When I first learned about the sale, I went to my friend and asked how easy it was to make homemade applesauce. She said it’s one of the easiest homemade recipes to make from scratch and once I made it, I’d likely never buy store bought applesauce again. She was right.
All you need are apples, literally.
The steps are fairly simple if you have the right tools. You’ll need a food mill, a large bowl and sauce pot. Of course, some containers to put the applesauce in once it’s finished.
Cut up your apples. No need to peel or remove seeds if you have a food mill. It’s worth the investment for so many other things, it’s definitely up there on my list of must have kitchen gadgets.
Put the apples in boiling water. Just enough water that they are covered. And continue to boil until they are soft. Watching to make sure that they are all covered.
Drain your water. Place your food mill on top of a large bowl. Put some of your apples inside and mill. The sauce will form in the bowl while the seeds and peels are left behind at the top.
That’s it. That’s literally all you need to do to make the easiest homemade applesauce.
There’s no need for preservatives or anything else. If you love cinnamon applesauce, then you can add 1/2 a teaspoon and then add more until the taste you desire is acquired. We, personally, do not add in cinnamon. The key is to using a variety of apples – some sweet, some tart. The variety will give you a rich taste like nothing store bought has ever tasted like.
- 12 apples try for a variety of tart (like Ginger Gold and sweet (like Fuji or Gala) apples)
- Optional: 1/2 tsp Cinnamon plus more to taste
- Bring a large sauce pot, half filled with water to a soft boil.
- Cut your apples into large chucks (either quarter or use an apple corer to do this - discard cores if using a corer)
- Put apples into water and add additional water as needed just to cover the apples.
- Let soft boil until fork tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and drain water.
- In batches, add apples to a food mill and turn until all sauce has been pressed out.
- Add cinnamon if desired.
- Serve immediately or store in a air tight container for 14 days.
- Tip: If you do not have a food mill, you can peel and deseed the apples before cooking. Cook as described above. Then when finished cooking, use a potato masher until desired consistency is reached.
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We hope you enjoy the easiest homemade applesauce recipe you could ever make! Hop into the kitchen with your littles and enjoy making this recipe with them!
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Keith Laskey says
January 2, 2018 at 3:08 pmThis applesauce looks delicious. I may need to talk with Clarissa about getting one of those food mills! I love that you even suggest certain types of apples. Very informative post. Also, cinnamon is a MUST! Thanks!
Larisha Campbell says
January 8, 2018 at 7:52 pmThanks so much! It’s one of our favorite kitchen gadgets!