How to Make Applesauce at Home and Tasty Ways to Use It

With this easy recipe, you can learn how to make applesauce at home that tastes better than the store-bought one.

Ingredients:

- 6-8 medium apples

- 1/2 cup water

- 2-4 tablespoons sugar (optional)

- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Equipment:

- Large pot with lid

- Potato masher or immersion blender

- Wooden spoon

- Cutting board and knife

Instructions:

1. Prepare the apples: Wash your apples thoroughly under cold water. Remove the cores and seeds, then cut the apples into small chunks. You can leave the skin on for extra nutrients and fiber, or peel them if you prefer smoother applesauce.

2. Cook the apples: Place the apple chunks in a large pot and add the water. Cover the pot and cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The apples are ready when they become soft and break apart easily with a fork.

3. Mash the apples: Remove the pot from heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Use a potato masher to crush the cooked apples until you reach your desired texture. For completely smooth applesauce, use an immersion blender instead.

4. Add seasonings: Taste your applesauce and add sugar if you want it sweeter. Stir in cinnamon for extra flavor and lemon juice to prevent browning. Mix everything well and let the applesauce cool completely before serving or storing.

5. Final touches: If your applesauce seems too thick, add a little water and stir. If it's too thin, cook it uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce the liquid. The consistency should be smooth but not watery.

Creating perfect applesauce becomes easier when you know these helpful techniques. These tips will help you avoid common mistakes and improve your results every time. Here are the most effective tips for better applesauce:

1. Mix different apple varieties: Combine sweet apples like Gala with tart ones like Granny Smith. This creates a more complex flavor that is both sweet and tangy.

2. Control the texture: For chunky applesauce, mash gently with a fork. For smooth results, blend longer with an immersion blender. Stop blending when you reach your preferred consistency.

3. Add spices gradually: Start with small amounts of cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla. Taste and add more if needed. It's easier to add spices than to remove them.

4. Watch the cooking time: Overcooking makes applesauce mushy and can cause burning. Check the apples every 5 minutes and stir gently to ensure even cooking.

5. Adjust sweetness naturally: Very ripe apples need less added sugar. Taste your apples before cooking to decide how much sweetener to use.

6. Use the right pot size: Choose a pot that gives apples room to cook evenly. A crowded pot leads to uneven cooking and poor texture.

Many people make a big batch of applesauce and then keep it ready to eat whenever they want. In this case, it's important to store them correctly so they can last longer.

The downside of homemade apple sauce is that it's faster to go bad. If you plan to use your applesauce within a week, simply place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. Make sure it is cooled completely before storing, as warm food can create condensation and spoil faster. Properly stored in the fridge, it will stay good for about 7 days.

Homemade applesauce offers many possibilities beyond eating it plain. These creative uses will help you enjoy your applesauce in new and exciting ways throughout the week. Here are delicious ways to use your applesauce:

1. Replace oil in baking: Substitute half the oil or butter in muffin and cake recipes with applesauce for healthier baked goods.

2. Make smoothies creamier: Add applesauce to fruit smoothies for natural sweetness and smooth texture without dairy products.

3. Create easy pancakes: Mix applesauce into pancake batter for extra moisture and subtle apple flavor in your breakfast.

4. Serve with pork dishes: Applesauce pairs perfectly with pork chops, ham, and sausages as a traditional side dish.

5. Make overnight oats: Stir applesauce into overnight oats for a sweet, fiber-rich breakfast that's ready when you wake up.

6. Fill crepes or pastries: Use applesauce as a filling for crepes, danish pastries, or homemade turnovers for a simple dessert.

7. Mix into yogurt: Combine applesauce with plain yogurt for a healthy snack that's naturally sweet and satisfying.

8. Create salad dressing: Blend applesauce with vinegar and spices to make a unique, healthy salad dressing with natural sweetness.

9. Make baby food: Unsweetened applesauce works perfectly as healthy baby food that's easy to digest and nutritious.

10. Freeze into popsicles: Pour applesauce into popsicle molds for a healthy frozen treat that kids and adults will love.

11. Add to meat marinades: Use applesauce in marinades for chicken or pork to add moisture and subtle sweetness to grilled meats.

12. Create energy balls: Mix applesauce with oats, nuts, and seeds to make no-bake energy balls for quick, healthy snacks.