Homemade cinnamon applesauce
This homemade cinnamon applesauce recipe brings a cozy, comforting flavor to your kitchen! It’s easy and satisfying, crafted from chunky, fresh apples and a generous sprinkle of cinnamon. It’s made using everyday ingredients you likely have on hand. Enjoy it alone or as the perfect side dish!
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This easy homemade applesauce recipe has been a staple in my kitchen for years, and I still whip it up weekly for my kids’ lunches. Lately, I’ve loved a simple twist: substituting apple cider for water. The cider adds a touch of sweetness, allowing me to ditch the maple syrup entirely!
This applesauce is as versatile as it is delicious. Enjoy it warm for a comforting treat, or chill it for a refreshing afternoon snack. It also pairs beautifully with various dishes, from yogurt parfaits to roasted pork.
Feeling inspired to explore more apple recipes? Check out some of my favorites on the site, including Apple Cider Donut Loaf Cake, Baked Apple Cider Donuts, Healthy Apple Muffins, or Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars!
Only 4 ingredients needed
What are the best apples for applesauce?
Granny Smith apples hold their shape while cooking leaving you with nice chunks and not all mush. While I love the mix of Granny Smith apples and Honeycrisp, there’s no bad choice when it comes to selecting apples for your homemade applesauce; every type brings something special to the table. However, flavors do vary across different varieties. Here’s a brief guide from the Washington Apple Commission to help you pick the best apple for your sauce, noting that availability may vary by season and region.
Sweet Sensations:
- Gala, Honeycrisp: These popular choices are widely available and offer a burst of sweetness, perfect for a decadent applesauce.
Mild & Mellow:
- Red Delicious: A familiar favorite, Red Delicious offers a subtle sweetness and a refreshing apple flavor, making it a versatile choice for applesauce.
- Golden Delicious: This classic apple adds a mellow sweetness and a touch of floral aroma to your applesauce.
Sweet & Tangy Tango:
- McIntosh: This delightful apple boasts a well-balanced blend of sweetness and tartness, resulting in a flavorful and complex applesauce.
- Granny Smith: A well-known choice for those who love a bolder burst of tartness, Granny Smith creates a refreshingly tangy applesauce.
Just a few more ingredients!
- Water, Apple Juice, or Apple cider – helps break down the apples and prevent them from sticking to the pot. If you use apple juice or apple cider instead of water, you may want to leave out the maple syrup. I found that using the juice sweetens it enough.
- Cinnamon – I add a whole tablespoon of cinnamon for an extra flavor kick! It really warms up the apple flavor.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
How to make Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce
Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and chop Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples into 1-inch chunks.
Cook the Apples: Combine the apples, water, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a Dutch oven. Cover and simmer over medium heat.
Mash and Season: Mash the apples with a potato masher to achieve your desired consistency. This will give you chunky applesauce. For a smoother applesauce, use an immersion blender.
If desired, adjust sweetness or spice with extra maple syrup or cinnamon. Serve warm or chilled.
Recipe Variations
- Experiment with different apple varieties in this recipe. I have tried several. I do like using Granny Smiths to maintain texture and tartness. My favorite apples to add are Honey Crisp, Gala, and Golden Delicious.
- The spices can also be adjusted to preference; add a bit of ginger, nutmeg, cloves, or allspice. I sometimes add a teaspoon of vanilla and a tablespoon of lemon juice or lemon zest.
- I have also added ripe pears. Peel, core, and chop them and place them in the pot with the apples.
Recipe Substitutions
- You can experiment with different apple varieties in this recipe. I have tried several with great success! My favorite apples are Honey Crisp, Gala, Granny Smiths, and Golden Delicious.
- Cooking time may differ depending on the apples you use.
- Cut the maple syrup to 2 tablespoons to reduce the sugar or omit it altogether. Adjust to taste at the end.
- The spices can also be adjusted to preference; add a bit of ginger, nutmeg, cloves, or allspice. I sometimes add a teaspoon of vanilla and a tablespoon of lemon juice or lemon zest.
- I have also added ripe pears. Peel, core, and chop them and add them to the pot with the apples.
Tips for Success
Tips
- Chopping: Chop the apples into 1 to 2-inch chunks for even cooking. Ensure all pieces are similarly sized to help them cook uniformly.
- Simmering: Cook on medium to medium-high heat and stir occasionally to prevent the apples from scorching.
- Cooking Duration: Be careful not to overcook the apples, as they can lose flavor. They’re done when they become squishy with no firmness left. Cooking time may differ depending on the apples you use.
- Peeling: Yes, peel the apples. The skins, especially on Granny Smiths, are tough and do not soften sufficiently.
- Prefer a completely smooth texture? After cooking, use an immersion blender or a food processor to achieve your desired consistency.
Storage
- Cooling: Allow the applesauce to cool to room temperature before sealing and storing it to prevent condensation and mold growth inside the container.
- Refrigeration: Store applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will typically last for about a week to 10 days.
- Freezing: To extend its shelf life, you can freeze applesauce. Place it in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Properly stored, it can last for up to three months. Make sure to leave some space at the top of the container as the sauce will expand when frozen.
What to Serve With Applesauce
Applesauce pairs perfectly with pork dishes, pancakes, oatmeal, grilled chicken, and various cheeses, adding a sweet and tangy twist. It also enhances yogurt, cottage cheese, toast, biscuits, and even ice cream, making meals and snacks more flavorful and enjoyable.
FAQ’s
Yes, cinnamon applesauce is good for you! It’s packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants from apples, promoting digestive health and a strong immune system. Adding cinnamon boosts the flavor and offers anti-inflammatory and blood sugar-regulating benefits. Just watch the sugar content if you’re buying pre-made versions.
Enhance applesauce with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, citrus zest, vanilla extract, or natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey.
To fix too much cinnamon in applesauce, dilute it by adding plain applesauce or sweeten it with honey, maple syrup, or sugar. You can also soften the flavor by incorporating mashed fruit.
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Homemade cinnamon applesauce
Equipment
- Immersion blender (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 pound Granny Smith apples about 3 medium
- 3 pounds Honeycrisp apples or another sweet variety, about 3 medium
- 2/3 cup water, apple juice or apple cider
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Peel, core, and chop apples into about 1 inch chunks, about 9 cups of raw apples.
- In a heavy, nonreactive Dutch oven, combine the apple chunks, water, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
- Over medium heat, cover and simmer the apples, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes or until apples have softened.
- Remove the lid to allow the liquid to evaporate by simmering for the remaining five minutes.
- Use potato masher or spoon to break up the apples to desired consistency. Remove from heat.
- If necessary, add additional maple syrup or cinnamon to taste.
- Serve warm or chilled. Let it cool to room temperature before storing it in the fridge.
