Quite a few of you have asked me for an applesauce recipe, so I’ve listened and I’m joyous to share this amazingly sweet and satisfying recipe. This recipe is so easy, I have it memorized! And I know you’ll like the simplicity factor, especially if you are a busy bee.
If you go apple picking or to your local farmers’ market you can get quite a large amount of apples for a very affordable price. I have noticed apples in my local grocery store being sold in bulk as well. Apples are everywhere and this is great news because they have numerous health benefits including:
- Great source of quercitin: A flavonoid that is a natural antihistamine, potent anti-inflammatory and important for heart health.
- Cancer-fighting antioxidants: Catechin, phloridzin and chlorogenic acid. Make sure you eat the skins for these free radical scavenging antioxidants to do their work. You can buy “low-spray” apples at most farmers’ markets, or certified organic.
- Source of vitamin C and fibre: One medium-sized apple has approximately, 4 grams of fibre per serving. Both insoluble fibre (like cellulose) and soluble fibre (like liver-loving pectin). Studies have shown that both types of fibre can lower your LDL cholesterol. Most of the fibre is found in the skin. Although you are going to peel the apple for this recipe, you can save the skins and toss them in a salad.
- Lung health: Apples stand out out amongst other fruits when it comes to lung function. Several studies have shown apples reduce the risk of asthma
Applesauce is a wonderful snack with yogurt or a sweet after-dinner snack, or as a sauce on something savoury. It’s much kinder to your waistline than apple pie and this recipe freezes well so you can enjoy applesauce all winter, yahoo!
Homemade Applesauce Recipe
- 12 peeled apples (Either Granny Smith, Rome Beauty, Idared, Cortland or Golden Delicious)
- 1 cup of dried sulfite-free cranberries
- 1/2-2/3 cup sucanat or coconut sugar*, depending how sweet you like your applesauce and how sweet the apples are that you are using (see note below on sweeteners).
- 1 tsp of cinnamon
- Just enough water to cover the apples in the pot when they are cooking.
- Optional: Add some variety and toss in some chopped walnuts, nutmeg or cloves
Makes 1 quart of applesauce.
Wash, peel, core and quarter the apples. Place the apples in a large pot and add cranberries, cinnamon, water and sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes. Check from time to time to make sure mixture isn’t drying out. Add more water if the apples are getting too dry. Taste test from time to time and add more sugar if needed. *You may use stevia instead (great for Diabetics). Add the drops slowly and taste test so you don’t overpower the sauce with sweetness. After the 20 minutes, you have two options:
1. For chunky applesauce (my fave): Use a potato masher to crush the soft apples. A few larger chunks will remain.
2. For smooth applesauce: Place the apple mixture in a food processor and blend until smooth.
Spoon into glass containers and store for a week to ten days in the fridge or in the freezer for longer.
Sucanat is a non-refined cane sugar and coconut sugar is a low-glycemic option that you can find more about here. is a sweetener made from the agave plant. Both of these sweeteners are lower in the glycemic index than sugar – a better choice for diabetics. However, stevia is the best when it comes to alternative sweeteners.
Applesauce is delightful for breakfast over yogurt or an afternoon snack with some nuts and seeds.
Enjoy!
love making my own applesauce. love the idea of leaving it a little chunky!! looks delicious.
So much more fulfilling when it’s chunky!
I have read many good things about xylitol, and just wondered what your opinion is – as healthy as stevia, or not.
Thanx Joy,
Heather
It causes some gut disturbances to a few people, because it’s more processed than coconut or sucanat. However, you could always try a tiny bit and see how it affects you. Toothpaste is a common source of this sugar. I used to use it a lot in baking but I don’t really anymore.
Thanks Joy. My wife and I made this last weekend after a stop at the local farmers market. Just finished it last night. Hope to make more soon. Good stuff!
Excellent!
I’ve never put sweetener of any kind in applesauce. To me the apples are sweet enough. I do add a bit of freshly ground nutmeg sometimes… tastes like apple pie without ANY guilt!