How to Make and Can Homemade Applesauce

Homemade applesauce is one of the easiest ways to preserve the fresh taste of apples and enjoy their natural sweetness year-round. Whether you’re an avid gardener looking to use up a bumper crop or simply want to make a healthier alternative to store-bought applesauce, this guide will walk you through the entire process of making and canning applesauce at home.

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Why Make Applesauce Instead of Buying It?

Taking the time to make homemade applesauce offers several advantages that go beyond the convenience of grabbing a jar off the grocery store shelf. Here’s why making your own applesauce is worth the effort:

1. Control Over Ingredients

When you make your own applesauce, you have complete control over what goes into it. Store-bought applesauce often contains added sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavors. By making it at home, you can decide to use fresh, organic apples and skip the unnecessary additives. You also have the freedom to adjust the sweetness level or even leave it completely unsweetened, making it a healthier option for those watching their sugar intake.

2. Fresh, Natural Flavor

There’s a noticeable difference in flavor between homemade and store-bought applesauce. Freshly cooked apples have a vibrant, natural sweetness that can’t be matched by mass-produced products. Homemade applesauce retains the full, rich flavor of the apples, allowing you to enjoy the pure taste of the fruit, especially when you use in-season, locally sourced apples.

3. Customizable to Your Taste

One of the biggest perks of homemade applesauce is how customizable it is. Whether you prefer it smooth or chunky, sweet or tart, you get to tailor it to your personal taste. You can experiment with apple varieties, mixing different types like Granny Smith for tartness or Fuji for sweetness, or even add in spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to create unique flavor profiles that can’t be found in a standard jar.

4. Healthier for You and Your Family

Homemade applesauce is naturally packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. By keeping the recipe simple—just apples, water, and a little lemon juice if desired—you’re serving your family a nutrient-rich snack or side dish without the processed sugars and chemicals often found in store-bought options. Plus, you can feel confident giving it to children or those with dietary restrictions, knowing exactly what’s in it.

5. Supports Sustainability and Reduces Waste

Making applesauce at home can help reduce waste. If you have an abundance of apples from your garden, farmer’s market, or local orchard, making applesauce is an excellent way to prevent them from going to waste. Additionally, by canning your own applesauce, you cut down on packaging waste since you’re not buying applesauce in disposable jars or plastic containers. Using reusable glass jars also makes the process more eco-friendly.

6. Cost-Effective

Buying apples in bulk—especially during apple season when they’re plentiful and affordable—can save you money compared to purchasing individual jars of applesauce. You’ll get a much larger quantity of applesauce for a fraction of the cost, and it can be stored for months when canned properly. This is especially beneficial for families who go through applesauce quickly or use it in various recipes.

7. Fun and Satisfying Process

There’s a rewarding sense of accomplishment in creating your own homemade products, especially when it comes to something as simple and wholesome as applesauce. The process can be a fun family activity, particularly if you’re using apples you’ve picked yourself. It’s a perfect introduction to home preserving, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll find yourself making applesauce again and again—possibly even branching out to other homemade preserves!

Sweetening Applesauce

While apples naturally contain a good amount of sweetness, especially varieties like Fuji or Gala, you may still want to enhance the flavor by adding a sweetener. The beauty of homemade applesauce is that you can control how much, if any, sweetener is added, and you can choose a type that aligns with your preferences or dietary needs.

Types of Sweeteners and Suggested Measurements

1. Cane Sugar
   The most traditional sweetener for applesauce is regular cane sugar. It dissolves quickly and enhances the natural flavors of the apples without overpowering them.
   • Example Measurement: For a lightly sweetened applesauce, add about 100-200 grams of sugar per 4 kg of apples. Adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of your apple variety.
2. Brown Cane Sugar
   Brown sugar offers a deeper, molasses-like flavor that pairs beautifully with apples, giving the sauce a rich, caramelized undertone.
   • Example Measurement: Add 100-150 grams of brown sugar per 4 kg of apples. This will give a warm sweetness and a slightly darker color.
3. Maple Syrup
   Maple syrup adds a subtle, earthy sweetness with a hint of its characteristic maple flavor, which complements apples well.
   • Example Measurement: For a more natural option, use about 120-180 ml of maple syrup per 4 kg of apples.
4. Honey
   Honey provides a floral sweetness and can be a healthier, natural alternative to processed sugars. It also adds a bit of viscosity, making the applesauce slightly thicker.
   • Example Measurement: Use about 100-150 ml of honey per 4 kg of apples, depending on how sweet you like it.
5. Agave Syrup
   Agave syrup is a lighter, neutral-flavored sweetener and a great option if you’re looking for a low-glycemic index sweetener.
   • Example Measurement: Add 80-120 ml of agave syrup per 4 kg of apples.
6. Stevia or Monk Fruit (for sugar-free options)
   For those looking for a zero-calorie sweetener, stevia or monk fruit can be used. Both are much sweeter than sugar, so you’ll need only a small amount.
   • Example Measurement: Start with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of powdered stevia or monk fruit per 4 kg of apples. Adjust to taste, as these sweeteners can sometimes have a bitter aftertaste if overused.

Adding Spices for Extra Flavor

Beyond sweeteners, spices can take your applesauce to the next level, adding warmth and complexity. Here are some popular spices and combinations you can experiment with:

1. Cinnamon
   A classic pairing with apples, cinnamon adds warmth and depth to applesauce. Ground cinnamon blends smoothly into the sauce, giving it that comforting, spiced flavor.
   • Example Measurement: Add 2-3 teaspoons of ground cinnamon for a subtle flavor or up to 1 tablespoon for a stronger cinnamon presence.
2. Nutmeg
   Nutmeg has a rich, slightly nutty flavor that works well in smaller amounts to enhance the natural apple taste.
   • Example Measurement: Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. A little goes a long way!
3. Cloves
   Ground cloves have a powerful, pungent flavor, so use them sparingly. They add a spicy, slightly sweet edge that pairs well with apples.
   • Example Measurement: Use 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves to add a hint of spiciness without overpowering the apples.
4. Ginger
   Ground ginger brings a mild heat and a bit of zestiness to applesauce. It can brighten the flavor, making it feel lighter and more refreshing.
   • Example Measurement: Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger for a subtle kick, or more if you enjoy the spice.
5. Allspice
   Allspice has a combination flavor reminiscent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, making it a great all-in-one spice to add to applesauce.
   • Example Measurement: Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of ground allspice for a balanced spice note.
6. Vanilla Extract
   Vanilla extract adds a sweet, aromatic quality to applesauce, making it feel more indulgent and dessert-like.
   • Example Measurement: Stir in 1-2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract after cooking and before canning for a subtle but luxurious flavor boost.
7. Lemon Zest
   For a fresh, citrusy twist, lemon zest can be added to brighten the flavor of the applesauce. This works especially well if you’re using sweeter apple varieties and want to balance the sweetness.
   • Example Measurement: Use the zest of one lemon for a fresh, tangy note.

Spice Combinations

For more complexity, try blending spices to create unique flavor profiles:

• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for a warm, holiday-inspired applesauce.
• Ginger and cinnamon for a spiced kick with a bit of heat.
• Allspice, vanilla, and cinnamon for a rounded, sweet, and aromatic blend.

Homemade Applesauce Recipe & Canning Instructions

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Homemade Applesauce

A delicious and healthy treat for the canning shelf, homemade applesauce can be tailored to your taste buds using this simple base recipe.

Prep Time45 minutes mins

Cook Time45 minutes mins

Canning Time20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 Quarts

Equipment

• Large Pot
• Immersion Blender

Ingredients

• 12-13 lbs Fresh apples Use a mix of varieties for balanced sweetness and flavor
• 1 cup Water Just enough to cover the bottom of the pot
• Sweetener & Spices of choice See above for some yummy examples

Instructions

• Peel, core and chop half of the apples into small pieces. Place them into a large pot with the water and turn to a medium/low heat.
• Continue peeling, coring, and chopping the apples as the first round cooks. You can add directly to the pot as you get done with each apple. This method will give you a chunky applesauce by ensuring that not all of the chunks cook completely.
• Simmer the pot over medium heat and cook for about 30-40 minutes, adding apples as you get them prepped.
• Once a majority of apples are soft, blend with an immersion blender until a majority of the chunks are smooth (how long you blend will be your own preference).
• Taste the applesauce and add your preferred sweetener and spiced. I love to do about 1/2 cup of brown cane sugar and a tablespoon of cinnamon.
• Let the applesauce simmer for another 5-10 minutes to allow the sweetener and spices to fully incorporate, then remove from heat.

Canning The Applesauce

• Sterilize your quart jars and lids in a hot water bath.
• Ladle the hot applesauce into the sterilized jars, leaving about ½ inch of headspace at the top.
• Wipe the rims of the jars, place the lids on top, and screw on the bands until just finger-tight.
• Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes for quarts, 15 minutes for pints.
• After processing, remove the jars from the water bath and let them cool completely. Once sealed, the applesauce can be stored for up to a year in a cool, dark place.