Homemade Applesauce with Cinnamon

Learn how to make this delicious Homemade Applesauce with Cinnamon that can be made in large batches and stored for later.

Each fall I have now begun the tradition of making this Homemade Applesauce with Cinnamon. There is something wonderful about the aromas that fill the air whenever I make our annual batch. Simmering away on the stovetop, jars lined and ready to be filled.

It is an afternoon of sweet work that feeds my soul. I am usually able to have the windows open, allowing the crisp breeze to come into the kitchen while we chop and core our apples. Looking forward to tasting it and placing it on our storage shelf. I love to see the pretty jars filled and lined on the metal shelf in our kitchen. Each time I open a new jar, I smile as I recall the day we spent making it.

In our home, we love to have this Homemade Applesauce with Cinnamon alongside savory meat dishes like sausages or pork chops. For us, it is a dinner or lunch side just as much as it is a spread for pancakes or an addition to oatmeal.

What You Will Need To Make It

5 lbs of apples

1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

1- 1 1/2 cups of water

2 tbsp. of lemon juice

Optional Ways to Sweeten Applesauce

If you find the applesauce is a bit more tart than you would like, sweetening it is easy. Here are a few optional additions you can add in.

Honey (1/4 cup or more)

Brown Sugar (half cup or more)

Maple Syrup (1/4 cup or more)

Vanilla Extract (1 tbsp.)

Directions

Begin by peeling, and coring all the apples. Cut them into equal-sized chunks so that they cook evenly.

Place them in a stock pot with the water, cinnamon, lemon juice, and any sweetener you desire.

Place the lid on and allow them to simmer over medium heat until soft.

When ready take a potato masher and begin mashing them into smaller bits.

Take a hand blender and blend the applesauce until smooth. If you do not have a hand blender, you can add the cooked apples to a blender and blend them up in batches.

Taste the applesauce to make sure it is sweetened to your liking. If placed in freezer bags, you will want to allow the applesauce to cool before placing it into freezer bags. If not, can as usual or place the applesauce into storage jars.

How to Pick the Best Apples

Picking the freshest apples isn’t as necessary for making applesauce as it is for making say, a pie or tart. Many times I will make a batch of applesauce out of any kind of apple that I have in our fruit bowl that is past its prime.

However, if the desire is to create the highest quality of applesauce or are one to go out apple picking. Finding the best apples is easy. Look for apples free from bruises or abrasions. Firm to the touch with skin that is smooth and wrinkle-free. Wrinkles or shriveled skin on the apple indicates an apple is past its prime.

FAQ

What type of apples make the best applesauce?

I love using all sorts of apples for making applesauce. But something to keep in mind, if you are like me and not wanting to add any additional sugar to your applesauce, then it’s best to stick with sweeter varieties. Such as Golden Delicious, Honey-crisp, Fuji, Gala, and Cortland. I sometimes will use a mix of these or just grab a 5 lb bag of your favorite kind.

Can I freeze applesauce?

Homemade applesauce freezes very well. That is why making large batches of it in the fall when the apples are at their peak works well to keep delicious homemade applesauce on hand. During the fall there are plenty of apple-picking opportunities so don’t be afraid to grab extra and make large batches to keep for later.

To freeze, I like using half gallon sized freezer bags. Allow the applesauce to cool completely before placing it into the bags. The applesauce will store well for up to 2 to 3 months in the freezer. But keep in mind that once the applesauce is defrosted you will not want to refreeze it.

How to store homemade applesauce?

Store in an airtight jar such as a mason jar, freezer bag, or any container with a lid. For longer-term storage consider hot water canning or hot packing the applesauce. My favorite way to store homemade applesauce is to store it this way. While water canning is a simple enough process, however, sometimes I find I don’t feel like heating the entire house just to can my applesauce.

That is when I do the hot packing. I simply sterilize the mason jar lids and jars. Add the hot applesauce directly into the jars and place the lid on. Then turn the jars over and allow them to sit overnight. I check the jars in the morning to ensure the lid has popped, letting me know that the jars are sealed properly.

How long does homemade applesauce keep?

The shelf life of your homemade applesauce will depend on how you have chosen to store it. Hot water canning or placing in freezer bags for the freezer are two of the longest ways to keep homemade applesauce. If simply placed in a jar for the fridge, I find this homemade applesauce will keep for up to two weeks. I am always mindful to check the rim for any mold that might be present before serving.

If you try this recipe and love it, I would appreciate you coming back to give it 5 stars!

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