Learn to make the smoothest, most delicious cinnamon applesauce with this easy recipe. You’ll love the simple ingredients in this recipe – it’s naturally dairy free and gluten free.
Can you believe that I had never made applesauce until last week?
My mom made it when we were little, my mother-in-law makes it every year, but I had never tried making it on my own. And the main reason is because I don’t have a food mill.
What’s a food mill, you ask? It’s a pretty neat contraption that allows you to easily puree foods. A handle and some discs make it easy to grind the food down and make the puree thinner or thicker according to your preference.
Anyway, I don’t have a food mill. But, I started thinking that I could probably do what I did when I made baby food for my boys: Just use a fine mesh strainer and a large spoon.
So I tried it, and it did require a little more elbow grease, but it made the smoothest, most delicious cinnamon applesauce I’ve ever had. It was worth the little bit of extra work. If you don’t own a food mill, don’t let that stop you!
The super smooth quality and simple ingredients in this applesauce would make it a good choice for babies or toddlers. If you’d like to reduce the sugar or use a different sweetener, you can do that.
Can I make applesauce without sugar?
It all depends on your palate! If you prefer tarter applesauce, you can leave the sugar out. If you use apples that are naturally sweeter, like Fuji apples or Gala apples, you may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar.
What type of apple works best for making applesauce?
I used organic Gala apples, and was happy with the taste – they are not too tart. You can use whatever apples you want, but you may have to adjust the amount of sugar to your taste. Some people like a tarter flavor, and use apples like Honeycrisp for applesauce. Experiment and see what you prefer!
This homemade cinnamon applesauce is so good, you won’t want the store bought version after you taste this recipe. It’s so delicious when served with homemade cider mill donuts or vegan pot pies.
If you’re not in a rush, you may prefer my recipe for slow cooker cinnamon applesauce.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Cozy Cinnamon Applesauce.
You can make super smooth, flavorful, simple applesauce with just a few ingredients! Serve this with homemade donuts or cookies for a special treat.
Ingredients
- 9 apples
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ Tablespoon sugar
Instructions
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Core the apples and slice into large chunks. Place in a large pot with the water and lemon juice.
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Cook over medium heat until soft, about 40 minutes.
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Place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and put about ¾ cup of the cooked apples in the strainer. Using the back of a large metal spoon, mash the apples against the strainer, forcing the puree through into the bowl. If you have a food mill, you can use that - it will go faster.
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Periodically scrape the puree off the underside of the strainer into the bowl.
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Remove the peels as the accumulate in the strainer, and add more apples. Repeat the process.
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Once all the apples are pureed, add the cinnamon and sugar and stir.
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Enjoy immediately or store in the refrigerator.
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Makes about two cups.
Recipe Notes
You could also use a food mill if you have one - it will make the process go faster.
You can peel the apples if you prefer. Keeping the peels on does add a bit of pink color to the final product, which is nice.
Adjust the amount of sweetener to your taste.
See, it couldn’t be easier! If you have a food mill, that will simplify the process even more.
What have you been making with apples lately?
This post is part of my series: 31 Days of Gluten, Dairy, and Egg Free Soups, Salads, Sides & Sweets.
Katie
Delicious recipe!
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Homemade applesauce is the best! Totally my favorite way to use up all those extra fall apples. :)
Kristen @ Joyfully Thriving
I made applesauce for the first time last year – without a food mill, too! I simply cored and peeled all my apples then let them cook in the slow cooker for a couple of hours. After that, I simply used my blender. Perfectly smooth like baby applesauce – and SO easy! Full directions are on my blog, if you want them! I discovered homemade applesauce cans and freezes well, too.
Kelly
Great idea! Using the blender would make things easier! :)
laura O
Homemade applesauce sounds amazing! I’ve never tried, can you believe it? (Of course I make everything else). This recipe is perfect for this time of year.
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely
I don’t have a food mill either. I wonder if an immersion blender would work? I love homemade applesauce! Especially on pork chops. Yum!
Kelly
I bet an immersion blender would work, but you might have a few lumps. It would be faster, though!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
Apple sauce is awesome, isn’t it! And apples and cinnamon are just the perfect combo.
I made an apple crisp the other day – it is all about the apples at the moment.
Kelly
I love apple crisp!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
I love making home-made applesauce! It’s so easy and way better than the store-bought stuff. This version looks delicious, Kelly!
Kelly
Thanks, Gayle!
Julia
I’ve never made apple sauce and it’s been on my to-do list fooorever! AND this is the first I’ve heard of a food mill, haha! Waaaay behind the times over here! Anyhoo, I love your food mill-less instructions and will have to hop to this!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen
I love making homemade applesauce in the fall and winter! I usually just peel the apples, cook them in a little water and sugar, and then mash them up some once soft. I’ll have to try making a smoother version like yours!
Kelly
That sounds easy, Kristine!