Skip to main content
Epicurious
Bon Appétit

Classic Applesauce

By Carla Lalli Music

3.7

(3)

Image may contain Food
Photo by Alex Lau

Cooking the apples with their skins on adds a beautiful rosy blush to the finished sauce.

Ingredients

4 pounds any combination of apples (about 8 large), rinsed, halved or quartered
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Special Equipment

A food mill

Preparation

  1. Step 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.

    Step 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.

  2. Do Ahead:

    Step 3

    Applesauce can be made 4 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

TagsSauceAppleFruitCinnamonHerbs & SpicesLemonCitrusVanillaSideSnackDairy FreeGluten FreeNut FreeMake AheadSimmerDutch OvenBon Appétit

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Grape Dumplings
Native American people made these with cornmeal dumplings, simmering them with wild grapes, which were harvested at their peak sweetness.
Île Flottante
Originally called omelette à la neige (snow omelet) in reference to the fluffy snow-like appearance of the meringue, île flottante (floating island) has a lengthy history that dates back to the 17th century.
Fufu
Fufu is a dish that has been passed down through many generations and is seen as a symbol of Ghanaian identity and heritage. Making fufu traditionally is a very laborious task; this recipe mimics some of that hard work but with a few home-cook hacks that make for a far easier time.
Homemade Whipped Cream
Fluffier, fresher, and fancier than anything from a tub or can.
Not-So-Secret Burger Sauce
Every sauce needs a few secrets. Ours is smoky, sweet, and savory—use it for burgers, fries, tenders, and more.
Luscious Banana Pudding
Layer homemade custard, ripe bananas, and vanilla wafers under clouds of whipped cream for this iconic dessert.
Black Rice Pudding
Turn inky black rice into a dreamy coconut milk pudding you’re fully authorized to enjoy for breakfast or dessert.
Smoky Tofu Shakshuka
This vegan version of the classic North African scramble uses soft silken tofu instead of eggs without any sacrifice of flavor.