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
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.
NancyC 
44 responses to “Homemade Applesauce (Sweetened with Honey or Maple Syrup)”
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!
LikeLike
I love applesauce, especially homemade. I have a different version that I can and do not sweeten – just so good 🙂
LikeLike
I agree, homemade is so much better than commercially prepared. Sweetened without processed sugar makes this one really wonderful.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
That’s great–hope you like it! 🙂
LikeLike
I love the idea of sweetening applesauce with honey or maple syrup. Pinning so I can make my own!
LikeLike
Thanks, Teresa! 🙂 I really like using honey and maple syrup as sweeteners whenever I can.
LikeLike
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 …
LikeLike
That’s a great idea, preserving the apple sauce–that way you can always have some handy! 🙂
LikeLike
I love homemade applesauce! Love that it’s sweetened with honey or syrup.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
It’s so nice to have an apple tree in your yard! I bet you have special memories of your mom’s homemade applesauce!
LikeLike
I love chunky applesauce but it is hard to find in my area. I can’t wait to make my own now.
LikeLike
Hope you like it! 🙂
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
I will have to try canning it sometime–that’s such a good idea!
LikeLike
I love the texture of your homemade applesauce! I think it’s just like so many other things that homemade is best!
LikeLike
Thanks, Julie! Yes, there’s something so good about homemade!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, this is a great time of year to make it! 🙂
LikeLike
I made a ton of applesauce, then turned it in to Apple Butter–19 jars! Your sauce looks wonderful. Happy Fall, XOXO
LikeLike
19 jars–wow! 🙂 Happy Fall to you too, Susan!
LikeLike
Oh this looks lovely! The perfect addition to any Thanksgiving table!
LikeLike
Yes, it makes a great side dish for Thanksgiving!
LikeLike
Homemade Applesauce is the best;)
LikeLike
It sure is! 🙂
LikeLike
I have never made Apple Sauce and am very encouraged to try by your recipe. 🙂
LikeLike
Hope you get a chance to try it out, Aruna! 🙂
LikeLike
This applesauce looks delicious, Nancy! I’ve never thought of making my own – definitely going to try your recipe out!
LikeLike
Hope you like it, Jess! 🙂
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
You’ll have to try this sometime, Shari! It’s so easy to make and tastes so good!
LikeLike
Love home made apple sauce and looks great Nancy…
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
Yes, there’s so much you can do with apples! I’m a big fan of homemade applesauce! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLike
Yes, I really love homemade applesauce–never was that crazy about the store-bought kind! Thanks for pinning! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much for this very useful recipe. With little kids, I would rather feed them home-made sauce than store-bought!
LikeLike
I bet your kids will like it much better than the store-bought kind! 🙂
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
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! 🙂
LikeLike
Your Applesauce looks amazing! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great day.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
LikeLike
Can I prepare this recipe in my slow cooker and if so, how long would the cook time be?
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike