What’s a more quintessential fall snack than a bowl of warm cinnamon applesauce? This 7-ingredient cinnamon applesauce is healthy, easy to make, and full of fall flavors.
How to make cinnamon applesauce
Homemade applesauce is leaps and bounds better than the store-bought variety and it is so easy to make. Aside from a completely different ingredient list, the process for making applesauce is very similar to making mashed potatoes.
Here are the basic steps:
- Peel, core and dice apples.
- Combine apples with maple syrup, water, lemon juice and spices in Dutch oven
or pot. - Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer until apples are very soft.
- Mash apples (or purée) until desired consistency is reached. Season with additional cinnamon and maple syrup.
or pot. Tips for making homemade applesauce:
- Use two different varieties of apples, one that’s sweet and one that’s tart. Why is this important? Using two different kinds of apples helps to balance the flavor of the applesauce.
- Keep the spices to a minimum. Don’t be tempted to add addition cinnamon, too much and it will completely overpower the apple flavor.
- A few tablespoons of sweetener is enough. Too much added sweetness will also overpower the apple flavor.
How to make healthy cinnamon applesauce
Many classic recipes for homemade applesauce call for ½ cup, or more, of refined sugar and apple juice/cider. The sugar and juice not only make the mixture too sweet, but it quicky turns a healthy snack into a dessert.
To make a healthy applesauce, ditch the added sugar and juice. Instead, opt for just a few tablespoons of natural sweetener (maple syrup or honey) and let the flavor of the apples shine!
All in all, keep applesauce the way it should be—simple and wholesome.
How to make chunky cinnamon applesauce
If you like a few chunks in your applesauce (and your mashed potatoes), there’s good news. Making chunky applesauce is actually easier and requires less dishes.
In this recipe I offer two methods for making applesauce. The first is to use a potato masher to mash the apples to your desired consistency. This method is the easiest and results in a more rustic, chunky applesauce.
If you, or the friends and family you are making this for, prefer applesauce to be very smooth, I offer an added step of processing the cooked apples in a food processor. Doing this does add an extra step and a few more dishes, but it’s a very easy way to create a smooth homemade applesauce.
Step-by-step how to freeze applesauce
Since apples are at their peak in the fall (and at their cheapest) I like to make a few batches of this cinnamon applesauce and freeze it for the months to come.
Step 1: let prepared applesauce cool completely.
Step 2: label quart-size resealable freezer bags or stasher bags
with “Cinnamon Applesauce” and the date.
Step 3: scoop a few cups of applesauce into each bag, squeeze to remove air and seal.
Step 4: lay filled freezer bags flat on a baking sheet
and freeze until solid.
Step 5: once the applesauce if frozen solid, remove the baking sheet and stack or “file” the frozen applesauce in your freezer (storing this way takes up less room).
Make sure to tag me @ZESTFULKITCHEN ON INSTAGRAM or comment below if you make this cinnamon applesauce!
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Easy Cinnamon Applesauce
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Made with a mixture of sweet and tart apples, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup, this sweet snack is something you can feel good about. Not only is this applesauce healthy, but it’s also incredibly easy to make, with most of its cooking time being hands-off.
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds Gala or Braeburn apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1½ pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ¼ teaspoon grated fresh nutmeg
- ¼–½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch salt (optional)
Instructions
Combine apples, maple syrup, water, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, and nutmeg in a Dutch oven or pot over high heat.
Bring apple mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until apples are soft and falling apart, 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Off heat, discard cinnamon stick and mash apples with a potato masher. For a smoother applesauce, transfer apples to a food processor and pulse to desired consistency.
Stir in ground cinnamon and season with salt and additional maple syrup, if desired.
Nutrition
- Calories: 106
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Homemade applesauce, cinnamon applesauce, applesauce recipe
