4 New Ways to Get Down with Homemade Applesauce (Plus a Killer Classic Recipe)

Try something new alongside roast pork or chicken, or with yogurt, ice cream, pound cake, or oatmeal. We particularly like McIntosh apples, but using a mix of varieties gives dimension. Although the apples may be sweet enough on their own, stir in up to 3 tablespoons dark-brown sugar, if you like.

Classic Applesauce

4 pounds apples, such as McIntosh, Gala, and Braeburn
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
3 tablespoons dark-brown sugar (optional)

1. Peel, core, and slice apples.

2. In a large pot, bring apples, lemon juice, and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil over high. Reduce heat and simmer until apples are very soft and falling apart, 25 to 30 minutes.

3. Mash with a potato masher or pulse in a food processor until smooth with small chunks remaining. (Add sugar, if using.)

4. Let cool, then transfer applesauce to airtight containers.

Related: Quick, One-Pot Meal Ideas To Feed the Whole Family

Prune-Vanilla Applesauce

3 1/2 pounds apples, such as McIntosh, Gala, and Braeburn
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup chopped prunes
2 tablespoons dark-brown sugar
4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1. Peel, core, and slice apples.

2. In a large pot, bring apples, lemon juice, prunes, vanilla and 2 cups water to a boil over high. Reduce heat and simmer until apples are very soft and falling apart, 25 to 30 minutes.

3. Mash with a potato masher or pulse in a food processor until smooth with small chunks remaining. Add sugar.

4. Let cool, then transfer applesauce to airtight containers.

Pear-Ginger Applesauce

2 pounds apples, such as McIntosh, Gala, and Braeburn
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 pounds pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 1/2 tablespoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger
3 tablespoons dark-brown sugar (optional)

1. Peel, core, and slice apples.

2. In a large pot, bring apples, lemon juice, pears, ginger, and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil over high. Reduce heat and simmer until apples are very soft and falling apart, 25 to 30 minutes.

3. Mash with a potato masher or pulse in a food processor until smooth with small chunks remaining. (Add sugar, if using.)

4. Let cool, then transfer applesauce to airtight containers.

Related: 24 Easy, Fun Halloween Treats You've Never Thought Of

Cranberry-Orange Applesauce

3 1/2 pounds apples, such as McIntosh, Gala, and Braeburn
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup fresh orange juice (from 2 to 3 oranges)
2 tablespoons dark-brown sugar

1. Peel, core, and slice apples.

2. In a large pot, bring apples, cranberries, orange juice, and 1/2 cup water to a boil over high. Reduce heat and simmer until apples are very soft and falling apart, 25 to 30 minutes.

3. Mash with a potato masher or pulse in a food processor until smooth with small chunks remaining. Add sugar.

4. Let cool, then transfer applesauce to airtight containers.

Spiced Applesauce

4 pounds apples, such as McIntosh, Gala, and Braeburn
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
3 tablespoons dark-brown sugar (optional)

1. Peel, core, and slice apples.

2. In a large pot, bring apples, lemon juice, spices, and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil over high. Reduce heat and simmer until apples are very soft and falling apart, 25 to 30 minutes.

3. Mash with a potato masher or pulse in a food processor until smooth with small chunks remaining. (Add sugar, if using.)

4. Let cool, then transfer applesauce to airtight containers.

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Here's another delicious recipe to make with apples.