Classic Apple Sauce

Classic Apple Sauce
Serving: 6 cups
Prep Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 25 min

Instructions

Peel, core and chop apples. In large saucepan, bring apples, cider, cinnamon sticks and lemon zest to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low; partially cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 25 minutes. 

Remove cinnamon sticks; discard. Using potato masher, mash apple mixture until chunky (for smoother sauce, use immersion blender and purée until smooth). Stir in lemon juice. Add sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, until desired sweetness. 

Pack into six 1 1/2-cup canning jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace; let cool completely. Refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Test Kitchen Tip: Golden Russet or McIntosh apples are ideal for applesauce because their natural sweetness means you need to add less sugar. Use a fine grater to grate leftover cinnamon sticks into a powder. So fragrant!

Makes 6 cups.

Change it up:

1. Sugar & spice
Add 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice to apple mixture before cooking. Omit granulated sugar;sweeten to taste with 2 to 4 tbsp dark brown sugar.

2. Hot toddy
After apple mixture is mashed, stir in additional 1 tbsp lemon juice and 4 to 6 tbsp rum or whiskey. Omit granulated sugar; sweeten with 1 to 3 tbsp liquid honey. 

3. Orange & saffron
Substitute grated orange zest for lemon zest, and orange juice for apple cider and lemon juice. Substitute 4 whole star anise for cinnamon sticks; add generous pinch of saffron before cooking. Sweeten with 1 to 2 tbsp granulated sugar.

4. Cranberry ginger
Stir 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries into apple mixture. Substitute 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger for cinnamon sticks; add 1/2 cup granulated sugar before cooking. After cooking, sweeten with 1 to 2 tbsp granulated sugar

Ingredients

  • 12 apples , such as Golden Russet or McIntosh (about 1.8 kg)
  • 1 cup apple cider or water
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 to 4 tbsp granulated sugar

Where to Find Ingredients

Scotview Orchard

Lipsitt Orchard