Homemade Chunky Applesauce
A Quick Healthy Alternative To Store Bought
This Homemade Chunky Applesauce is made with fresh picked McIntosh apples. It has just the right amount of sweetness and a bit of tart for the perfect combination. Being that it’s chunky helps keep this creation on the low labor intensive side. Just clean and peal, cut into chunks and cook down until it is the desired consistency. Very easy! This is a fun job for the whole family to get involved with. Make a large batch and freeze some for the winter.
History Of Applesauce
Applesauce goes back for hundreds of years. One of the first written mentions of applesauce was in Roman times in a collection of Roman cookery recipes. Although, the recipes moved on and outward throughout Central and Northern Europe cookbooks. Another well known publishing was in 1739 in an English cookbook written by Eliza Smith called Compleat Housewife. Hence, on to New England for the first settlers and into this modern day.
Making apples into applesauce is and was a perfect way to prepare for winter storage. Cooking down apples was an efficient process to help keep uneaten and unsold apples from rotting during the winter season. It also was a very popular homemade way to make baby food that had vitamin C, minerals and health benefits.
The making of applesauce has stayed the same for hundreds of years but the use of it has changed. The many pursuits of gourmet attempts to create the next food craze is thrown at us on all social media platforms. Applesauce is one of those foods that has been at the top of transforming the diet industry. Applesauce has great taste, texture, inexpensive, an alternative to oil in plant based cooking and low cholesterol recipes. Above all else, it is just plain healthy.
What Apples To Use For Homemade Chunky Applesauce
There are so many different varieties of apples. Although, there are some that are better for making applesauce. The best pick are softer varieties such as McIntosh, Honey Crisp, Golden Delicious and Fuji. McIntosh and Honey Crisp breaks down easy because it has a tender flesh and makes a great choice for a sweet and tart applesauce. Like we will be making today. If you use a sweeter apples you can balance the sweetness by adding a couple of tart apples such as Granny Smith or McIntosh.
If you are looking for sweet and juicy apples there are a variety in that field as well. Such as the Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, York imperial and Fuji. Don’t let apples fool you. They all are amazing in their own individual taste. Sometimes they can be enhanced with flavors to pull out that extra something in them that just makes them pop with an unexpected surprise.
Adding Flavors To Your Applesauce
Let’s not forget all the extra add ins that help enhance the flavor. For instance, adding brown sugars mellows the sweetness and adds more complexity. If you are using fruit with the skin on it improves both the color and the flavor creating beautiful appeal.
If you are making a lot of applesauce let’s think of aromatic flavors to add. This can create a diversity of applesauces for a variety of apple dishes for the winter. Some of my favorites are cinnamon, orange peel and rose water.
Don’t be afraid to add a little heat to your applesauce. This can really perk up and upgrade your recipe. For instance, try a little cayenne pepper or grated ginger to add to a batch of cinnamon applesauce. Maybe even a dash of nutmeg. You can really spruce it up with a splash of whiskey. Give it all a try and see what one is your favorite.
How To Make Homemade Chunky Applesauce
This homemade Chunky Applesauce is so quick and easy you will be happy you made it for yourself. The great thing is that you know exactly what is in it. I started off with 9 large McIntosh apples. Peel and core the apples with a small knife and vegetable peeler. If you don’t have a peeler you do all the work with just a knife. Cut the apples in 3/4 to 1/2 inch chunks. (Like in the video)
After you are done rinse the prepared chunked apples under cold water to get all the apple bits off. Then add them all to a large pot and turn the heat on medium. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon and water. Stir it into the mix. Put the lid on and simmer on medium low. Stir the mixture every few minutes. It should take about 30 to 35 minutes to simmer down to the right consistency. When it is done add the vanilla and mix it in. Take the applesauce off the burner and let it sit to let the vanilla mingle in.
Your applesauce is ready to eat and will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it in a freezer safe container or freezer zip lock bags. I lay my filled zip lock freezer bags flat and they store well that way. It will keep it’s quality for 2 months. You can use it the same after it defrost as you would regular applesauce.
I hope you like this recipe as much as we do. Enjoy!
Homemade Chunky Applesauce
Equipment
- 1 Large sauce pan with lid
- 1 Large stirring spoon
- 1 Sharp knife and vegetable peeler
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 quart freezer bags, optional
Ingredients
Homemade Chunky Applesauce
- 9 Large Apples, I used McIntosh. Use 10 to 11 apples if the apples are smaller
- ½ cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 cup Water
- 2 tsp Vanilla Flavoring, or 1 tsp of Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Cleaning The Apples
- Peel and core the apples (Like on the YouTube video) Cut them in ½ to ¾ inch chunks. When done wash them in a colander under cold water to get all the apple bits off. Let drain.
Cooking The Homemade Chunky Applesauce
- Put the drained chunked apples in a large pot. Turn the heat on to medium heat. Add the packed brown sugar, cinnamon and water. Stir it all together. Put the lid on. Stir it in 2 minutes. Turn the heat to medium low and stir every 3 to 4 minutes.
- After 30 to 35 minutes the applesauce should be at desired consistency. Add the vanilla and stir it all in to mingle. Set aside for a couple of minutes off the burner for the vanilla to mix in.
- It is ready to serve hot or wait for it to cool. It will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Enjoy!