Applesauce
21Applesauce has been around for hundreds of years. Apples are delicious, nutritious and affordable. The varieties are endless. The history of applesauce dates back to the mid-1700’s; originally, it was a way to help preserve the fall harvest of apples for the long winter months. Nowadays, it’s a yummy side that’s loved by young and old alike.
There are tons of varieties at your local supermarket, sure, but why not make your own? It’s simple to make and tastes 100 times better than store bought. I started making this for my daughter when she was about one year old. Now that she is 13, with the help of the NutriBullet, she makes it on her own.
This recipe can be done with any variety of apples you choose. I love a combination of Granny Smith’s and Fuji. This way you get the sweet and the tart in one. You can leave the peel on or remove it. I like to leave the peels on. Not only does it add to the nutrition, the applesauce ends up with a nice light pink color to boot.
Applesauce
Ingredients
- 4 Medium apples, cored and chopped
- ¾ Cup water
- ¼ Cup of sugar
- ½ tsp. of ground cinnamon
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Cover and cook over a medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until apples are soft. Allow to cool.
- In small batches, add mixture to the large NutiBullet cup and blend until smooth. Serve or refrigerate immediately.
This is the perfect side dish with dinner or an accompaniment with desserts. You can even replace the sugar with a little Stevia or honey, depending on your desired sweetness levels.
As with all my recipes, please feel free to take creative liberties.
Enjoy!
-Kim Pontius
We make applesauce from our red crabapples and freeze it. There is no need for sugar. It’s delicious.
Barb, I’ll have to try it with crabapples. Sounds good. Thanks for the idea.
You can do a similar sauce using half apples and half pears. Just use a really good sweet ripen pear. I like Bartletts
I made this today with Golden Delicious apples. My kids went crazy over it! Thanks for this simple, easy recipe. It was the best applesauce I’ve ever tasted.
Brianne, I really like to hear feedback on my recipes. THANK YOU!
I’m skipping the sugar but keeping the cinnamon!
My granny used to make applesauce like this. She would spread it on toast, use as a dinner side dish, or bake it up inside pocket-sized pies. THANK YOU for posting this simple recipe. It will bring back memories (plus will taste a lot better and be healthier than store-bought).
I make apple sauce for my baby all the time if you use gala apples then there is no need for sugar the are a sweet apple. This is exactly how I make apple sauces but I just leave out the sugar..
I have made an applesauce or apple puree in my Nutri Bullet, but without cooking.
I just core the apples, and leave the skin on the pieces. I add cinnamon, but not sugar. (I like Chalene N’s idea of candy Red Hots –hot cinnamon with some sugar!) And, the trick for me is NOT over-pulverizing it. I like it chunky, not babyfood consistency.
I don’t keep it long. Just a serving or two made up at one time.
Can you substitute Splenda for the sugar? If so how much?
Teresa, you can use Splenda. Just add a little at time and taste it. You can even use a little honey. It’s all depending on how sweet you like it.
I’m curious why the apple need to be cooked before putting them thru the NutriBullet?
Cooking softens the fruit and brings out the flavor in the apple.
@Carla C…I was wondering the same.
Skip the sugar and cinnamon. Just add 1 Tablespoon (more or less) of Red Hots while cooking. Great flavor, great color!
I think I’ll use your suggestion Charlene N…Maybe I’ll just add honey the first time and see how that works.
this is an awesome recipe…thank you will be trying!!!!
Linda, It so easy. Please let me know if you like it.
Is the sugar really necessary? If it’s just for the extra sweetness, then maybe some agave nectar instead? Otherwise good apples should be sweet enough.
I agree with Angela. I am not comfortable adding that amount of sugar to this. I certainly will not use any sort of artificial sweetener. I think if you use some nice, sweet, organic apples and some freshly ground cinnamon and nutmeg it will be delicious.
They sell “unsweetened” applesauce in the supermarket and it’s not bad, so I imagine you could try it without the sugar. In that case, I would just make sure I picked the sweetest apples for my sauce…