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Easy Stovetop Homemade Applesauce Recipe

A spoonful of chunky, golden homemade applesauce being lifted from a white bowl.

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Make the best homemade applesauce on the stovetop. This quick recipe is naturally sweet, perfect for snacks, side dishes, or baking applications.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds apples (like Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and core the apples. You may peel them if you prefer a very smooth texture, but peeling is optional for this recipe. Cut the apples into 1-inch chunks.
  2. Place the apple chunks and water into a large pot or Dutch oven.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. The apples are done when they are very tender and easily mashable with a fork.
  6. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice, if using.
  7. Mash the apples to your desired consistency using a potato masher for chunky applesauce, or use an immersion blender for smooth applesauce.
  8. Serve the homemade applesauce warm or chill it completely before storing.

Notes

  • For a cozy fall aroma, add a whole cinnamon stick during cooking and remove it before serving.
  • If your apples are very sweet, you can omit any added sweeteners. This recipe focuses on natural sweetness.
  • This applesauce stores well in the refrigerator for up to one week or can be frozen for longer storage.

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