There are some things that, after you’ve made it at home, you’ll find yourself swearing that you will never buy store-bought again. Vodka sauce is like that for me. Bottled just doesn’t compare once I’ve made it at home. Straight marinara sauce is another, with this Ragu Bolognese being a favorite. And now, the newest thing I can add to my list of never-buy-store-bought-again? Applesauce.
After our apple picking expedition a week ago, I set off to find creative ways to use the apples we had brought home. Or that was the plan. We had picked enough apples that I could have made a bunch of recipes, but I made the applesauce recipe first, and that was the end of that. I liked it so much, I made it again the next night, this time quadrupling the recipe. Between me, Nicholas, Madeline, my niece Sophie, two neighbors’ babies and my mom, I knew it would get eaten up fast. So now apple picking is on the schedule for this weekend again … The Husband loves apple cobbler, and Nicholas has yet to be introduced to it, so that’s as good excuse as any to go spend another sunny Fall afternoon at the orchards.
In the meantime, I’ll leave you my recipe for homemade applesauce, and hope that I can make a convert out of you. For only 15 minutes of your time, I can nearly guarantee you’ll add it to your own never-buy-store-bought-again list.
Hungry for more apple recipes?
- Everyday Food (Martha Stewart’s magazine) Editor Deb Puchalla totally hooked me up with an awesome article filled with apple recipes. Just another reason for more apple picking this weekend. Thanks, Deb, you rock!
- Sweetnicks’ reader Maris took apples in an unusual direction with her White Bean and Apple Chili.
- The Perfect Pantry puts buttermilk to use with an Apple Spice Bread recipe.
- The brilliant food photographer, Bea, at La Tartine Gourmande gives us a behind-the-scenes look at making Artisanal Apple Juice.
Cate’s Homemade Applesauce
5 apples, peeled, cored and diced
3/4 cup water
1-1/2 tablespoons white sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
splash of lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
In a medium pot, add apples, water, sugars, lemon juice and cinnamon. Cover and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes, or until apples are soft. Turn off heat. Once cool, mash with potato masher or other tool. Refrigerate.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve never made applesauce before — time to change that. Have a question. How much sugar does the abve recipe ask for? It says 1/4 cup. Did you use only 1 tablespoon.
Thanks. Great blog.
For the white sugar, measure out 1/4 cup and take out 3 tablespoons. Need to work out another way of saying that. :) For the brown sugar, use 1 T. Thanks for stopping by.
I’ve been making a ton of applesauce and freezing it – I add dried cranberries to mine,
Saras last blog post..A weekend at the beach
That comment about making something at home and never buying it again – I bet your’e sooo right about this applesauce. i’m going to totally need to try it.
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
Darius T. Williamss last blog post..Rearranging The List
I thought 4 Tbsp = 1/4 of a cup??
Annie – just googled it, and right you are. Updated recipe. Thanks!
Darius – totally.
Sara – how well does it freeze? The cranberries addition sounds great!
Love these recipes! I’ll definitely be stopping by the Perfect Pantry for the Apple Spice Bread recipe also!
Mariss last blog post..White Bean & Apple Chili
I have GOT to go apple picking… gonna have to carve otu time this coming weekend!
Patsy Kreitmans last blog post..L’Shanah Tovah!
Great recipe! There was a referral to it on another blog. Homemade applesauce rocks:)
faridas last blog post..My New Blog is Here with Chocolate Banana Bread
Recipe looks great! I have a 2 yr old grandson that is just going to LOVE this! Thanks for the recipe!
Enjoyed making this applesauce and the kids loved it. Thanks for the delicious recipe!