Making homemade applesauce is so easy! I make several batches of apple sauce every year. You can refrigerate it for eating now, freeze it for later or process it using the water bath home canning method. Homemade applesauce is 100% better tasting than anything you buy at the grocery store. Plus, you control the ingredients going into it.
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Getting started. I don’t give exact amounts in a recipe because it varies depending on how many apples and the size of apples that I’m cooking down. Plus, we all have different taste buds when it comes to sweetening it up with granulated sugar. So, let’s get started.
I like to cook down the apples using my slow cooker crockpot. Peel and core the apples. Toss the core and seeds. If you’re doing a lot of apples, I recommend using an apple corer and peeler. Dice the apple into chunks. Place all of the diced apples into the slow cooker. Add just enough water to prevent sticking as they slow cook. They will make their own liquid as they cook down…so you ONLY need enough water to prevent sticking. You can slow cook them on the low setting for 3-4 hours or on the high setting for 2-3 hours.
Once the apples are super soft….use a slotted spoon to get the chunks out of the water. I place them into my NINJA BLENDER and blend until smooth. We like a smooth and creamy consistency while others may prefer chunky. Pour the hot blended apples (now apple sauce) into a sauce pan. Turn on the heat to medium. Stir in granulated sugar…I start with a 1/2 cup and increase from there until I get my desired sweetness. You’ll need to stir the sauce often to prevent sticking. You need all of the granulated sugar to melt and get incorporated into the sauce.
Next up…the ground cinnamon. I personally use Selefina Ground Cinnamon. It’s the best that I’ve ever used. The majority of my spices I get from Selefina. All are high-quality and I highly recommend them. I start with 1 full teaspoon first. Stir and then do a taste test. I will then increase the ground cinnamon by the teaspoonful until I get it just the way I like it. If you’re not a cinnamon fan, you can omit it. Simmer the applesauce over low heat for 5-8 minutes. Turn off the heat and remove from the burner. Let it cool.
Pour the applesauce into refrigerator and freezer containers. If storing it in the refrigerator it should keep for 5-7 days. If you’re storing it in the freezer for up to 6 months. If you’re going to water bath it aka via home canning…it should be shelf stable for up to 1 full year if process correctly.