Homemade Applesauce (Sweetened with Honey or Maple Syrup)

I’ve had homemade applesauce before, but this is the first time I’ve made my own. And let me tell you, it’s so much better than store-bought! It’s not as convenient as buying it, but I think it’s worth the extra effort to make homemade applesauce if you have the time. It’s really easy to make your own—the most time-consuming part is peeling the apples. After that, it’s just a matter of mixing the ingredients in a saucepan and letting it cook for 25 minutes until the apples are soft.

If you like chunky applesauce like me, you can just use a potato masher to mash those cooked apples into applesauce. If you like your applesauce smooth, you can puree the cooled apple chunks in a blender (you may have to do that in several batches).

I like sweetening my applesauce with honey or maple syrup. If you prefer using brown sugar, you can use that instead. The cinnamon and nutmeg also give this applesauce a great flavor!

Homemade Applesauce

Servings: 4
Time: 50mins
Difficulty: easy
Print

HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE (Sweetened with Honey or Maple Syrup) by NancyC
Makes about 4 servings

8 cups (3 pounds) apples, peeled, cored, and chopped or sliced (this would be about 8 to 9 medium-size apples; use your favorite variety)
1/2 cup apple juice or cider
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
3 Tablespoons honey or maple syrup (or substitute 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

In a medium-size saucepan, combine chopped apples, juice or cider, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir ingredients together, then cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 25 minutes, until apples are soft.

Let apples cool, then mash them with a potato masher. Or you can puree them in a blender until smooth. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Recipe from NancyC | nancy-c.com

You can serve this applesauce chilled as a side dish or snack. Or for dessert, heat it and use as a topping over ice cream. You can also serve it warm or cool at breakfast as a topping for pancakes, a bowl of oatmeal, or a cup of plain or vanilla yogurt.

Have you made homemade applesauce before?

Sharing at Meal Plan Monday, Weekend Potluck, Thursday Favorite Things, Full Plate Thursday, Wow Me Wednesday, Homestead Blog Hop, Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party, Wonderful Wednesday, Inspire Me Monday.

44 thoughts on “Homemade Applesauce (Sweetened with Honey or Maple Syrup)”

Kaila October 30, 2015 at 7:26

Nancy, I made my own applesauce last week, and it’s all gone. I guess I’ll have to make some more! Your recipe looks delicious! I love how you can adjust homemade applesauce to your favorite taste preferences too. Happy FF, and have a wonderful weekend!

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cookingwithauntjuju.com October 30, 2015 at 9:19

I love applesauce, especially homemade. I have a different version that I can and do not sweeten – just so good 🙂

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apuginthekitchen October 30, 2015 at 9:28

I agree, homemade is so much better than commercially prepared. Sweetened without processed sugar makes this one really wonderful.

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tinywhitecottage October 30, 2015 at 1:56

I haven’t made applesauce for years! You just reminded me and now I can’t wait to make some. I’ll follow your recipe for sure, using maple syrup. Sounds wonderful.

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1. nancyc Post authorOctober 30, 2015 at 6:51
  
  That’s great–hope you like it! 🙂
  
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Teresa October 30, 2015 at 1:57

I love the idea of sweetening applesauce with honey or maple syrup. Pinning so I can make my own!

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1. nancyc Post authorOctober 30, 2015 at 6:56
  
  Thanks, Teresa! 🙂 I really like using honey and maple syrup as sweeteners whenever I can.
  
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Ginger October 30, 2015 at 3:17

It really depends on your apples – I usually use just a pinch of sugar to get the apples to release their flavours. I’m sure it would work with honey or similar, but as it’s such a minute quantty I’m not too bothered 😉
I recently wrote about how to preserve apple sauce in jam jars: I am rather lazy, so I always cook more than I will need …

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1. nancyc Post authorOctober 30, 2015 at 7:42
  
  That’s a great idea, preserving the apple sauce–that way you can always have some handy! 🙂
  
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Sarah 'n Spice October 30, 2015 at 3:36

I love homemade applesauce! Love that it’s sweetened with honey or syrup.

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cheri October 30, 2015 at 3:40

Hi Nancy, we used to have an apple tree in our yard and my mom used to make homemade applesauce, it was so much better than store bought.

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1. nancyc Post authorOctober 30, 2015 at 8:11
  
  It’s so nice to have an apple tree in your yard! I bet you have special memories of your mom’s homemade applesauce!
  
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peachesteaberry October 30, 2015 at 3:53

I love chunky applesauce but it is hard to find in my area. I can’t wait to make my own now.

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1. nancyc Post authorOctober 30, 2015 at 8:17
  
  Hope you like it! 🙂
  
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Amy (Savory Moments) October 30, 2015 at 3:59

Your applesauce looks lovely. Homemade is so worth it. We go apple picking each fall and then I make and can applesauce for the year. We love it!

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1. nancyc Post authorOctober 30, 2015 at 8:17
  
  I will have to try canning it sometime–that’s such a good idea!
  
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Julie is Hostess At Heart October 30, 2015 at 6:11

I love the texture of your homemade applesauce! I think it’s just like so many other things that homemade is best!

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1. nancyc Post authorOctober 30, 2015 at 8:20
  
  Thanks, Julie! Yes, there’s something so good about homemade!
  
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Sweet and Savoury Pursuits October 31, 2015 at 10:40

Hi Nancy, I use to make applesauce when my kids were babies, I haven’t made it at home for several years now, though my kids still enjoy applesauce. Your post has reminded me that it’s time for me to make it again 🙂

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1. nancyc Post authorOctober 31, 2015 at 12:28
  
  Yes, this is a great time of year to make it! 🙂
  
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Susan Tierney-Cockburn November 1, 2015 at 8:18

I made a ton of applesauce, then turned it in to Apple Butter–19 jars! Your sauce looks wonderful. Happy Fall, XOXO

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1. nancyc Post authorNovember 1, 2015 at 6:20
  
  19 jars–wow! 🙂 Happy Fall to you too, Susan!
  
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Jessica @ Sweetest Menu November 1, 2015 at 4:24

Oh this looks lovely! The perfect addition to any Thanksgiving table!

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1. nancyc Post authorNovember 1, 2015 at 6:20
  
  Yes, it makes a great side dish for Thanksgiving!
  
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ZazaCook November 1, 2015 at 5:27

Homemade Applesauce is the best;)

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1. nancyc Post authorNovember 1, 2015 at 6:21
  
  It sure is! 🙂
  
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Aruna Panangipally November 2, 2015 at 7:30

I have never made Apple Sauce and am very encouraged to try by your recipe. 🙂

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1. nancyc Post authorNovember 2, 2015 at 8:08
  
  Hope you get a chance to try it out, Aruna! 🙂
  
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Jess @ whatjessicabakednext November 2, 2015 at 11:17

This applesauce looks delicious, Nancy! I’ve never thought of making my own – definitely going to try your recipe out!

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1. nancyc Post authorNovember 2, 2015 at 8:13
  
  Hope you like it, Jess! 🙂
  
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Shari November 2, 2015 at 1:13

I have never thought of making homemade applesauce before, but I love that idea! It looks so delicious, and it’s nice you can control whether it is chunky or smooth and what kind of sweetener you use. Thank you so much for sharing this, Nancy!

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1. nancyc Post authorNovember 2, 2015 at 8:18
  
  You’ll have to try this sometime, Shari! It’s so easy to make and tastes so good!
  
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Chitra Jagadish November 3, 2015 at 8:28

Love home made apple sauce and looks great Nancy…

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Stephanie Leduc November 3, 2015 at 10:38

definitely agree with applesauce being better homemade, I currently have some homemade applesauce in the fridge, so I definitely know how good this recipe must taste! Ah, I just love the versatility of apples!

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1. nancyc Post authorNovember 4, 2015 at 7:42
  
  Yes, there’s so much you can do with apples! I’m a big fan of homemade applesauce! 🙂
  
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Bam's Kitchen November 4, 2015 at 5:31

I could a meal just out of your applesauce. The other day I made a little apples for inside of a pie on top of the stove and I could not stop eating them. Also fantastic on the side of a pork chop! Just pinned!

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1. nancyc Post authorNovember 4, 2015 at 7:50
  
  Yes, I really love homemade applesauce–never was that crazy about the store-bought kind! Thanks for pinning! 🙂
  
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Suchitra November 4, 2015 at 6:14

Thanks very much for this very useful recipe. With little kids, I would rather feed them home-made sauce than store-bought!

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1. nancyc Post authorNovember 4, 2015 at 7:51
  
  I bet your kids will like it much better than the store-bought kind! 🙂
  
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bakeplaysmile November 5, 2015 at 3:26

I can’t wait to try your recipe! Our friends have a great apple tree and I always love it when they bring over the fruit. I will definitely be trying this!

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1. nancyc Post authorNovember 5, 2015 at 7:48
  
  Hope you like this recipe! I have friends who share their apples with me, too–it’s great, isn’t it? Thanks for hosting Fabulous Foodie Friday! 🙂
  
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Miz Helen November 11, 2015 at 11:12

Your Applesauce looks amazing! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great day.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen

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Jacque June 15, 2018 at 10:19

Can I prepare this recipe in my slow cooker and if so, how long would the cook time be?

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1. nancyc Post authorJune 15, 2018 at 12:27
  
  Hi Jacque-I haven’t tried this recipe in a slow cooker, so I’m not sure how long the cooking time would be. I do plan on trying to make some slow cooker applesauce later this summer–just haven’t had a chance to do that yet!
  
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