Skip to main content

Classic Applesauce

3.7

(3)

Image may contain Food
Photo by Alex Lau

Cooking the apples with their skins on adds a beautiful rosy blush to the finished sauce.

Ingredients

4 pounds any combination of apples (about 8 large), rinsed, halved or quartered
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Special Equipment

A food mill

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine apples, cinnamon stick, lemon juice, salt, and 1/4 cup water in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean and add pod. Cover pot and cook over medium-low heat, occasionally stirring with a wooden spoon and checking to make sure apples are not scorching (add a splash of water if they are), until apples are soft and falling apart, 35–45 minutes. Uncover pot and let apples cool slightly.

    Step 2

    Working in batches, pass apples through food mill fitted with a medium disk into a large bowl; discard solids. If sauce is watery, return to pot and simmer over medium heat until thickened.

  2. Do Ahead:

    Step 3

    Applesauce can be made 4 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Tangy and sunny, this curd can be made with either fresh or frozen pulp.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Every sauce needs a few secrets. Ours is smoky, sweet, and savory—use it for burgers, fries, tenders, and more.
Developed in the 1980s by a chef in Hong Kong, this sauce is all about umami.
Yes, it's a shortcut in a microwave. It's also a gooey, fudgy, wildly good chocolate cake.
This vegan version of the classic North African scramble uses soft silken tofu instead of eggs without any sacrifice of flavor.
Bring in the cheer with this ruby red drink made with apple brandy, hot cider, cranberry, and plenty of warm spice.
You can enjoy these madeleines with just powdered sugar—or decorate them with a colorful white chocolate shell.