The Transplanted Baker: Homemade Applesauce

We’ll keep this post short and sweet.

Kind of like this guy.

Applesauce is one of those things that people don’t really go out of their way to make. Before this fall, I never had either. But then the 10 pound bun came a long, and so did his big appetite, and then I found myself knee deep in brilliant red apples from a relative’s orchard. Things change. You spend your Saturday nights indoors, listening to jazz, and making applesauce. Is this a sign that my adolescence is officially over?

You can keep your applesauce plain, but really now, why wouldn’t you add some cinnamon to your batch? And while you’re in the spice box, grate in a little nutmeg, a pinch of cloves, maybe some ginger, a few scrapings of lemon zest if you’ve got one on hand, and a good handful of brown sugar for good measure. Of course, if you’re making this recipe strictly for a small person, take is easy on the sugar.

Homemade Applesauce- a great first food for babies, a tasty side dish for your pork chops in the fall...even good served warm with ice cream.

Lasse approved.

Homemade Applesauce

Heimelaga Eplemos

Loosley based on this recipe from simplyrecipes.com

*makes one huge batch of applesauce that freezes well

3 to 4 lbs of peeled, cored, and quartered cooking apples

a couple strips of lemon peel - use a vegetable peeler

Juice of one lemon, about 3-4 Tbsp

1 cinnamon stick

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, optional

1/4 teaspoon cloves, optional

1/4 teaspoon ginger, optional

1/4 cup of dark brown sugar

1 cup of water

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1. Put all ingredients into a large pot. Cover. Bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.

2. Remove from heat. Remove cinnamon sticks and lemon peels. You can choose to keep your sauce chunky and simply mash with potato masher; or you can puree it in a food processor to make it silky smooth for a baby.