In an effort to use up all of the delicious apples we have collected this season, I made a pot of fresh applesauce. My mom made and canned applesauce all the time while my siblings and I were growing up, but I never realized how many apples it takes to make a substantial amount. I used twelve to make a mere 5 cups, but it was absolutely worth it. The stuff from the store doesn’t even compare to what you can make at home with fresh, seasonal apples. If you are looking for a little less sugar in your diet, I think you could easily cut down or eliminate the amount in this recipe. It just may slightly effect the thickness.

This particular version is for a chunkier applesauce. It is a bit more time-consuming than the smoother variety, but I prefer the texture.  Even better, your house will smell great while it’s cooking on the stove, especially with the addition of cinnamon sticks and vanilla extract. Robert and I loved this so much, I am hoping to make an even bigger batch next week. It is great for a snack, side dish, mixed with greek yogurt, or for dessert.

Homemade Applesauce

Printable Version

Yield: About 5 cups

Ingredients

• 12 apples (I used Golden Delicious)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 cups water
• 5-6 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions

Peel, core, and chop the apples. In a large pot, combine the apples, water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla. Cover and cook over medium heat for 30-40 minutes, or until apples are soft, stirring about every 10 minutes. Allow to cool then remove the cinnamon sticks and mash with a fork or potato masher to achieve your preferred consistency. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy 🙂

Source: Adapted from allrecipes.com