VIDEO: How to Make Homemade Applesauce & Delight the Whole Family

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pounds of fresh, ripe organic apples
  • Water or apple juice for cooking
  • Sugar, cinnamon or other spices to taste

If you are not familiar with the water bath canning method watch our water bath canning video workshop. Always make sure you are following all safety guidelines outlined by the USDA when canning anything.

It’s Okay to Play with Your Food – Especially Applesauce

Hi, I’m Karla – the homestead and housewares expert at Mountain Feed. We love sharing our passion for learning, living more sustainably and never forgetting to have fun while we’re at it, so today we’re going to forget what Momma taught us, have some fun, and play with our food.

Let’s make some homemade applesauce that’ll leave the kids smiling! Here’s the method…

Making Homemade Applesauce with the Water Bath Canning Method

1) Select & Wash Fresh, Ripe, Organic Apples

Today we’re using apples that were just picked outside here in Ben Lomond. You’ll need about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds of apples to make one pint jar of applesauce.

2) Peel, Core & Slice the Apples

You can peel and core the apples by hand, but it’s pretty laborious. Sometimes you just need the right tool for the job. Today, I’m using a nifty apple tool, which I highly recommend for making homemade applesauce because it saves TONS of time — and work!

3) Cook & Mash the Apples

After you’ve finished peeling and coring the apples, the next step is to cook the apples in a large, non-reactive covered pot until the apples are soft. Use just enough water or apple juice to prevent the apples from sticking. Once they’re soft, you can either mash the apples with a potato masher for chunky applesauce, or run them through the food mill for smooth applesauce.

Today I’ve decided on my personal favorite applesauce style, a half-chunky half-smooth combination.

4) Play with Sugar, Play with Spice

When you get the applesauce to the consistency that you want, return the pot to the heat. Now is the time to add sugar and cinnamon to taste — or any other spices that you fancy -- feel free to get creative! There’s nothing like inventing a new recipe at home, although you can never go wrong with that classic cinnamon and sugar applesauce taste.

5) Bring the Sauce to Desired Thickness

Bring the sauce to a simmer and continue to cook the apples to your desired thickness, making sure to stir frequently in order to prevent any scorching. You’re almost there, just a few steps to go!

6) Pack Your Applesauce

Now, pack the hot applesauce directly into heated jars and remove any air bubbles with a lid lifter bubble freer combo. Make sure to leave a half-inch headspace between the applesauce and the jar’s lid, center the lid and screw on the band until it’s tight. See our water bath canning video workshop for more in-depth instructions.

7) Process Your Applesauce for 20mins

The next step is to place the full jar of applesauce in your canning rack, and gently return it to the canning water. Once the water returns to a boil, process the pints for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes has passed, remove the jars from the pot using either a rack or a jar lifter. Be sure to place the jars on an insulating buffer like a towel or cutting board so that you don’t shock the jars with a quick temperature change.

8) Cool Your Applesauce & Prepare for Apple Bliss!

Now for the easy part — wait 12-24 hours for the jars of fresh homemade applesauce to cool. Once the sauce is cool, don’t forget to test your lids to make sure they’re all sealed. Then store them in a cool, dark place.

Once the sauce is cool, it’s ready for immediate consumption if you’re feeling hungry and want to try your creation. You can also save it through the winter as the perfect school lunch item for the kiddos or an afternoon snack.

Over to You...

If you are not familiar with the water bath canning method watch our water bath canning video workshop. Always make sure you are following all safety guidelines outlined by the USDA when canning anything.

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