Holiday Applesauce
Capture the cozy flavors of the season with this irresistibly spiced Holiday Applesauce, a heartwarming twist on a classic favorite. Made with a medley of apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji, this recipe features festive ingredients such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a hint of citrus from fresh lemon juice and orange zest. The apples simmer to tender perfection with a touch of brown sugar, creating a balance of sweet and tart that feels like a hug in every bite. Whether left slightly chunky or blended into a silky puree, this homemade applesauce is ideal as a holiday side dish, a topping for pancakes and desserts, or simply enjoyed on its own. Quick to prepare in just 40 minutes and refrigerator-friendly for up to a week, it’s the perfect make-ahead dish to elevate your seasonal celebrations.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 medium-sized Apples (e.g., Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
- 1 cup Water
- 0.25 cup Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 0.125 teaspoon Cloves (ground)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Orange zest
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
Peel, core, and chop the apples into small chunks. Try to keep them uniform in size for even cooking.
In a large pot, combine the chopped apples, water, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, lemon juice, orange zest, and salt. Stir everything together to coat the apples evenly with the seasonings.
Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the apples cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft and start to break down.
Once the apples are fully softened, use a potato masher for a chunky texture or an immersion blender for a smoother consistency. Adjust the consistency to your preference.
Taste the applesauce and adjust sweetness or spices, if needed.
Allow the applesauce to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
914 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 2.8 g | 4% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.6 g | 3% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 624 mg | 27% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 239.9 g | 87% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 37.3 g | 133% | |
| Total Sugars | 187.8 g | ||
| Protein | 4.3 g | 9% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 165 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 1650 mg | 35% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
