Spiced Applesauce
Whether you enjoy this delightful Spiced Applesauce as a delicious snack or a healthy dessert, you will be amazed at how quickly and easily this homemade applesauce recipe comes together. This perfectly spiced applesauce is made with juicy Honey Crisp apples, lemon juice, aromatic cinnamon sticks, star anise, cardamom, and a touch of pure maple syrup. The best part? No peeling required!
This recipe is 100% plant based and gluten free! To learn how to make this wonderful homemade applesauce recipe, see the printable recipe card below or take a look at the recipe video. To learn about the health benefits of this spiced applesauce recipe, visit the Pimp My Recipe section in my Blog Comments & Tips below.
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RECIPE
(Printable recipe card below.)
SPICED APPLESAUCE
Ingredients
Instructions
- Chop apples into large pieces (do not peel - see Note #2), and discard the core.
- To a heavy enameled cast iron Dutch oven (3.5 quart), add chopped apples, lemon juice, and cardamom (optional). Then nestle in the cinnamon sticks, star anise. Evenly pour maple syrup, cover with lid, and cook on medium heat for 45-50 minutes until very tender. Test for doneness with the tip of a knife (apples should be very soft & fall off the knife when inserted). Turn off heat, and discard cinnamon sticks and star anise.
- Using an immersion blender, purée the apples until completely blended and smooth. Taste test, and adjust sweetness if needed (see Note #4). Serve warm, or chilled with a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon, if desired.
Notes
- If you don’t have cinnamon sticks, you can use ½ tablespoon of ground cinnamon instead. However, keep in mind that the ground cinnamon will make the applesauce much darker.
- 1 star anise gives this homemade applesauce a subtle flavor. If you like the flavor of anise (licorice), then you can add up to 2 whole star anise.
- Since you are not peeling the apples, I recommend using organic. I prefer Honey Crisp because they are both tart and sweet; however, you can use your favorite apple. You can use either 5 very large apples, about 6 medium apples, or up to 7-8 small apples for this recipe. This recipe can easily be double, tripled, or more.
- This homemade applesauce is already fairly sweet. If you like it really sweet, just stir in 1-2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup after taste testing, if needed. Keep in mind that the flavors will continue to change and develop over time. You can enjoy this applesauce immediately, but it’s even better the next day.
- Allow to cool completely before transferring to an airtight glass container (1 liter). Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days.
- Makes about 4 cups. A total of 8 servings (½ cup per serving).
Nutrition Facts
Calories
102.73Fat (grams)
0.27 gSat. Fat (grams)
0.04 gCarbs (grams)
26.92 gFiber (grams)
3.85 gNet carbs
23.08 gSugar (grams)
20.59 gProtein (grams)
0.43 gSodium (milligrams)
2.44 mgCholesterol (grams)
0 mgNutritional information provided is strictly an estimate and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Sprinkle with a bit of ground cinnamon, and serve warm or chilled as a delicious snack or healthy dessert.
VIDEO
How to Make this Homemade Spiced Applesauce Recipe!
Blog Comments & Tips
A perfectly spiced homemade applesauce recipe!
This perfectly Spiced Applesauce is 100% plant based and gluten free. It makes a delicious snack or a healthy dessert. This homemade applesauce recipe is so quick and easy and requires absolutely no peeling or mixing! Just chop unpeeled Honey Crisp apples (or your favorite variety) into really large pieces, then add them to an enameled cast iron Dutch oven, along with lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cardamom, and some pure maple syrup. In about 45 minutes you’ll have a wonderfully healthy and tasty snack or dessert.
I was inspired by Geoffrey Zakarian’s social media video for his family’s Apple Snack recipe. He did not provide an actual recipe, but the idea was brilliant! Just toss in some apples and cinnamon sticks, cook, and purée. Of course, I had to kick the recipe up a notch or two by adding my own variety of spices. I used fresh lemon juice to add some brightness in flavor, and found that it also lightened up the color of this homemade applesauce. Traditionally applesauce is served chilled, allowing the flavors in this Spiced Applesauce to develop over time (best the next day). I’ve also enjoyed it warm (just after cooking), and it’s a totally different experience but really tasty!
Now, let’s cover the health benefits of this homemade applesauce.
Nutrients: Honey Crisp apples are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, contributing to overall health.
Antioxidant: Cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom are antioxidant powerhouses that help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
Heart-Healthy: The combination of apples and pure maple syrup are said to support heart health by promoting healthy cholesterol levels.
Blood Sugar Regulation: Cinnamon has been linked to improved insulin sensitivity, potentially aiding in better blood sugar control.
Digestive Comfort: Apples are a good source of dietary fiber, promoting good digestive health.
Immune System Boost: The various spices in the recipe may contribute to immune system support, thanks to their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Natural Sweetener: Pure maple syrup is a great natural sweetener, offering a sweet taste without refined sugars. This makes it a better option for those that are mindful of their sugar intake.
How do you ensure the best results from this recipe?
My 5 tips to making this delicious homemade Spiced Applesauce:
Use organic apples since you aren’t peeling them. I prefer Honey Crisp, but you can use your favorite variety of apples.
I used very large apples and a fairly small Dutch oven for this recipe. Based on the size of the apples, you can use anywhere from 5 very large apples, about 6 medium apples, or up to 7-8 small apples for a 2.5 to 3.5 quart Dutch oven.
Don’t peel your apples or cut them too small. If you do, they will overcook, lose flavor and nutrients, and even potentially burn. You want them to stew (cook slowly) without stirring. Each piece should be about 2 inches in diameter. Leaving the peel on retains more nutrition and fiber, and does not affect the texture of the applesauce.
Use a good quality immersion blender. I like to turn off the heat, and blend directly on the stovetop using the Vitamix immersion blender. It literally takes only 1 minute to purée.
To store it, make sure it’s completely cooled before transferring it to an airtight glass container (1 liter), then store it refrigerated for up to 5-7 days.
Enjoy and let me know what you think by commenting below, rating my recipes, subscribing, following, and liking Prep My Recipe on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks.
Happy Cooking!
Mich
Footnote: Remember to cut the apples into very large chunks. Otherwise, they will overcook, lose their flavor, and potentially burn.
Inspired by the Apple Snack recipe from Geoffrey Zakarian’s social media video. His recipe used just cinnamon sticks, but I added some lemon juice to brighten the flavor and color, along with various spices, My version has much more flavor than the original.
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