Homemade Applesauce

Making applesauce from scratch is easy, and the payoff is oh-so-satisfying when hungry kids or spouses gobble it up and remark how much better it is than something out of a can (or more likely, a tiny plastic cup with a peel-off foil lid). This homemade applesauce recipe can be eaten warm, cold, solo or as a side dish (i.e., next to its favorite dinner companion, the pork chop).

Homemade Applesauce Recipe

5 medium apples, peeled, cored and chopped into wedge-like chunks

½ cup water

¼ cup sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Combine apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan. Cover and cook over medium high heat until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes or until apples are soft.

For a chunky, "country" homemade applesauce consistency: Mash with potato masher or large fork. Observe: 

Or, for the smoother, “lunch box” applesauce consistency pictured at the top: Transfer to food processor (a blender will work if necessary - but trust me, you gotta get yourself a food processor!) and pulse until desired texture. 

Whether you opt for the chunky country texture or the slightly more cosmo lunchbox puree (whoever referred to applesauce as cosmopolitan? It makes sense if you think about it, though), homemade applesauce beats store bought any day.