Best 4 Easy Homemade Chunky Applesauce Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Applesauce, a culinary delight crafted from the humble apple, is a versatile condiment enjoyed by people of all ages. Its history dates back centuries, with early records tracing its origins to ancient Rome and Greece. Over time, applesauce's popularity soared, and it became a staple in kitchens worldwide.

This versatile condiment can be enjoyed in myriad ways. It serves as an ideal accompaniment to pancakes, waffles, and French toast, adding a touch of sweetness and a burst of apple flavor. Applesauce's smooth texture and natural sweetness make it a perfect ingredient for baked goods such as muffins, cakes, and cookies. It lends a moist texture and a subtle apple flavor that complements various spices and flavors.

Beyond its culinary versatility, applesauce boasts an array of nutritional benefits. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber, aiding digestion and promoting a feeling of fullness. Applesauce is also rich in vitamin C, an essential nutrient that supports immune function and overall well-being. Additionally, it contains antioxidants that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

In this comprehensive guide, we present a collection of easy-to-follow recipes that showcase the versatility of applesauce. From classic stovetop methods to slow cooker variations and even a unique baked applesauce recipe, these recipes cater to diverse preferences and cooking styles. We also include tips for selecting the perfect apples, achieving the desired consistency, and storing applesauce for long-term enjoyment.

Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting, this article equips you with the knowledge and recipes to create delicious and nutritious applesauce at home. Embark on this culinary journey, discover the endless possibilities of applesauce, and elevate your meals with this timeless classic.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

CHUNKY APPLESAUCE



Chunky Applesauce image

This recipe for chunky applesauce was adapted from the December 2002 issue of Martha Stewart Living. It makes for a delicious healthy dessert all on its own.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking

Yield Makes about 1 quart

Number Of Ingredients 8

9 red-skin apples (about 3 pounds), such as McIntosh, peeled, cored, and cut into wedges
1/2 cup apple cider, plus more as needed
1 large cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, plus more as needed
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, plus more as needed
Honey, as needed (optional)
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Pomegranate seeds, for garnish

Steps:

  • In a wide, heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients. Cook, stirring frequently and adding more cider as needed to prevent scorching, until apples are broken down, 50 to 60 minutes. Mash large pieces with a spoon; add more honey and spices if desired.
  • Remove from heat; discard cinnamon stick. Serve warm or at room temperature garnished with pomegranate seeds. Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days.

CHUNKY APPLESAUCE



Chunky Applesauce image

Serve this chunky applesauce alongside Talia's Favorite Latkes.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Appetizers

Yield Makes 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 Granny Smith apples (about 3/4 pound)
3 McIntosh apples (about 1 pound)
1 tablespoon margarine or unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons sugar

Steps:

  • Peel, core, and cut apples into 3/4-inch chunks. Melt margarine in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add apples, cinnamon, sugar, and two tablespoons water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender, about 10 minutes. Serve warm or chilled.

APPLESAUCE FOR THE FREEZER



Applesauce for the Freezer image

There is nothing better than homemade applesauce with hand-picked apples, and it is so easy to do! If you want chunky applesauce, use a potato masher to mash the cooked apples. If you prefer smooth apple sauce, run the cooked apples through a food mill. The key is adding a few strips of lemon peel to the apples while cooking. The lemon heightens the apple flavor. Make sure you use a good cooking apple like Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, Jonathan, Mcintosh, or Gravenstein. Ready to serve as soon as you're done, either hot or refrigerated. Delicious with vanilla ice cream or vanilla yogurt. Freezes easily, lasts up to one year in a cold freezer.

Provided by Robert Crowell

Categories     Side Dish     Applesauce Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 ½ pounds apples - peeled, cored, and quartered
1 cup water
¼ cup dark brown sugar
¼ cup white sugar, or less to taste
3 tablespoons lemon juice, or more to taste
1 (3 inch) piece cinnamon stick
4 strips lemon zest
½ teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Stir apples, water, brown sugar, white sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, lemon zest, and salt together in a large pot. Place a cover on the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the apples are soft, 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Remove pot from heat. Remove and discard cinnamon stick and lemon zest strips. Mash apples with a potato masher.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 62.8 calories, Carbohydrate 16.6 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 0.2 g, Sodium 60.1 mg, Sugar 13.5 g

CHUNKY APPLESAUCE



Chunky Applesauce image

There's just something extra special about a homemade applesauce recipe like this one. This simple dish is tart and not too sweet. It makes the perfect side, especially with pork chops or a pork roast. -Deborah Amrine, Grand Haven, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 45m

Yield about 3-1/2 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 4

8 cups chopped peeled tart apples (about 3-1/2 pounds)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, combine apples, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cover and cook over medium-low heat 30-40 minutes or until apples are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Mash apples slightly if desired. Serve warm or cold.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 157 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 7mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (36g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 0 protein.

Tips:

  • Choose the right apples: For the best chunky applesauce, use a variety of apples that are firm and tart, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn.
  • Peel and core the apples: This will help to create a smoother applesauce. If you don't want to peel the apples, you can leave the skins on, but be sure to wash them thoroughly.
  • Cut the apples into chunks: The size of the chunks will determine the texture of the applesauce. For chunky applesauce, cut the apples into 1-inch pieces.
  • Add spices: To enhance the flavor of the applesauce, add spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice. You can also add sugar or honey to taste.
  • Simmer the apples: Bring the apples and spices to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the apples are tender.
  • Mash the apples: Once the apples are tender, mash them with a potato masher or an immersion blender until you reach the desired consistency.

Conclusion:

Homemade chunky applesauce is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be enjoyed on its own, used as a topping for pancakes or waffles, or added to baked goods. It's also a great way to use up leftover apples. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make your own delicious chunky applesauce at home.

Related Topics