Classic Applesauce
A homemade applesauce made with fresh apples, cinnamon, vanilla, and a touch of lemon juice. This comforting recipe transforms whole apples into a smooth, flavorful sauce perfect for snacking or baking.
Ingredients
- •4 pounds any combination of apples (about 8 large), rinsed, halved or quartered
- •1 piece cinnamon stick
- •2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- •1 piece vanilla bean
- •1 piece food mill
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
Combine apples, cinnamon stick, lemon juice, salt, and 1/4 cup water in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean and add pod. Cover pot and cook over medium-low heat, occasionally stirring with a wooden spoon and checking to make sure apples are not scorching (add a splash of water if they are), until apples are soft and falling apart, 35-45 minutes. Uncover pot and let apples cool slightly.
45 min
- 2.
Working in batches, pass apples through food mill fitted with a medium disk into a large bowl; discard solids. If sauce is watery, return to pot and simmer over medium heat until thickened.
15 min
- 3.
Applesauce can be made 4 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.
5 min
