Crispy sweet apples combined with warm spices and orange zest makes this spiced apple sauce a warming fall favorite. The orange zest provides a unique flavor to the sauce, but you can skip them if you prefer.
They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Apple sauce is another way to enjoy apples if you are not a fan of eating the fruit raw. Today, we will be making a healthier version without refined sugar.
Applesauce can be used as a substitute for eggs and fats in most baked goods. For instance, If a recipe calls for one egg, you can substitute with a quarter cup of applesauce, this helps with the texture of the baked goods. Whenever I use this homemade spiced zesty applesauce in my baking, I reduce the amount of sugar I use because the applesauce already packs some natural sugar.
Another way to enjoy applesauce is with yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, ice cream, baked goods, or by itself. It also pairs well with pork chops for a delicious dinner.
Which apples make the best applesauce?
There are varieties of delicious apples out there, but it's essential to pick a select few when preparing homemade applesauce. Look for apples that are sweet or mildly sweet like the golden delicious apples, Fuji, Jonagold or Mutsu. You also need a little tartness, apples like Mcintosh, Cortland, Jonathan, Winesap, Newtown Pippin, and Braeburn provides that mildly sweet, tart, crisp, juicy and aromatic flavor.
After selecting the apples, it’s time to peel, core and chop. If you are like me and love kitchen gadgets that simplify life in the kitchen, then you have to get an apple peeler/corer. I love this one here because it peels, cores, and slice the apples for you. Seriously, how awesome is that? Apples are my to go snacks, so this gadget comes in handy every day, Winning! If you don’t have an apple corer use a potato peeler or knife to peel the skin, core the center and slice into small chunks for even cooking.
This zesty spiced applesauce is super easy to make; it only takes 17 minutes or less.
How to make Zesty Spiced Applesauce
You'll need
- Apples, I used a combination of golden delicious, Mutsu, McIntosh, and Fuji.
- Apple cider
- Water
- Granulated swerve ( any sweetener is fine)
- Ground cinnamon
- Allspice
- Orange zest
- Butter
Method:
Peel the apples, remove the core and chop the apples into chunks.
Place the apples, apple cider, water, sweetener, ground cinnamon, allspice, and orange zest in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat and cook for 10-12 minutes, until they are fork tender. Add the butter and stir to combine. Mash with a potato masher or pulse in the food processor until you reach the desired consistency depending on how chunky or smooth you prefer the texture. Serve! Enjoy the applesauce with plain yogurt, spoon it over ice cream, or on hot oatmeal.
Store any leftover in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Are you looking for a more comforting, easy weeknight meal? Check out this creamed cauliflower and leek soup here or this deliciously favored stewed goat with chickpea curry here.
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Peace & Love
Maureen
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📖 Recipe
Zesty Spiced Applesauce
Ingredients
- 3 Medium Apples, I used a combination of golden delicious, Mutsu, McIntosh, and Fuji.
- 3 tablespoons Apple cider
- 3 tablespoons Water
- 2 tablespoons granulated swerve ( any sweetener is fine)
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Allspice
- ½ teaspoon Orange Zest
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Peel the apples, remove the cores and chop the apples into chunks.
- Place the apples, apple cider, water, sweetener, ground cinnamon, allspice, and orange zest in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat and cook for 10-12 minutes, until they are fork tender. Add the butter and stir to combine.
- Mash with a potato masher or pulse in the food processor until you reach the desired consistency depending on how chunky or smooth you prefer the texture. Serve! Enjoy the applesauce with plain yogurt, spoon it over ice cream, or on hot oatmeal.
Notes
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Krysten Quiles says
Oh my goodness it's making my mouth water. Thanks for the fun recipe, will be trying it out soon!
Maureen Celestine says
It's always my pleasure. 🙂
Preet says
This looks nice and simple to put together but so delicious! Perfect for a weekend treat!
Maureen Celestine says
Thank you, it's indeed easy.
Alexandra Cook says
Thank you for sharing this recipe- I adore this but have never tried to make it myself. I will now, seems more simple than I thought and how stunning is yours!
Maureen Celestine says
Right! Don't be intimidated, Alexandra, I hope you give it a try soon. Thanks!
Geraline Batarra says
Oh this apple sauce recipe sounds so great! I really love consuming this for my pancakes and oatmeals..
Maureen Celestine says
Yes, Geraline! They are a perfect pair for Oatmeal and pancakes
Italian Trip Abroad says
It seems so tasty! I will try those recipe out and make a nice snack at home.
Taryn says
This looks amazing, and I would love to try it. Is the other version made with yogurt or is it cream?
Maureen Celestine says
Hi Taryn,
I am not sure I understand your question, are you referring to the white substance sandwiched in the applesauce? It's yogurt. I hope that helps. Thanks for stopping by.
Christa says
This looks so delicious! I’ve never had anything like this and can’t wait to try it. 😀
Maureen Celestine says
Thanks, Christa, I hope you give it a try soon.
Kisha Stewart-Harris says
I've made applesauce before using Gala and plain old gold and delicious apples and it was pretty good. I'm going to try your twist of adding lemon zest and allspice to see how that turns out. Sounds like that might be good.
Maureen Celestine says
Thanks, Kisha, you can't go wrong with added flavor. I hope you try this version soon. Oh, it's orange zest, but lemon zest would be awesome too.
Neha says
Love how you amped up the flavor profile of regular apple sauce! I need to give ir a go.
Maureen Celestine says
Thanks, Neha! Variety they say is the spice of life. I hope you give it a go. 🙂
Joanna says
This recipe sounds so delicious! I love apples and I could see myself topping a Greek yogurt with this sauce, for a healthy dessert.
Maureen Celestine says
Oh yes! Joanna that hit my sweet food spot. 🙂
Kalyan Panja says
I am drooling over this recipe. Can't imagine how delicious it will be to taste.
Maureen Celestine says
So delish! Kalyan 🙂
Sincerelymissj says
Thank you for sharing this recipe for spiced apple sauce . It looks good
Melissa says
Wow, this looks so great! I dont eat sugar, but my kids would absolutely love this! I will have to try it!
Maureen Celestine says
Hey Melissa, I used an all natural sugar, so it's perfectly okay. I hope your kids love it. Thanks
Michelle Morton says
This looks absolutely AMAZING!!! Maybe because Im preggo... but looks super delicious <3
Maureen Celestine says
Yay! Congrats beautiful. Wishing you some delicious food cravings on your journey. Thanks for stopping by.
Dino Did What says
Thanks for sharing this recipe.. It looks great!
Jenny says
Great recipes, we always have a lot of apples in the fall. But have never made apple sauce, might try this year
Bindu Thomas says
It seems so tasty! Thanks for the fun recipe, will be trying it out soon!
MARIA says
Looks absolutely appetizing. I can't wait to try it out. I am trying to do a lot of Homemade cooking from here on out. glad your recipes are here to help and very original.
feedback: can you please take photos of the ingredients you use like the spices so i have a visual picture for when i go o look for them in store. You know how sometimes the name alone doesn't quit cut it when you you out shopping. Sometimes if you know what the item looks like you can easily save time. Also some stores label differently.
Thank you!
Maureen Celestine says
That's great, Maria. Homemade foods are great, and it doesn't hurt to know what ingredients are on the menu. Now and then I add a picture for ingredients when it is necessary or a link on where to get the exact one I used in a recipe considering most of my viewers are outside the United States. Unless otherwise stated, any brand works for most of my recipes. Thanks again for stopping by beautiful.
Monidipa Dutta says
This really looks good and tasty. I would love to try this recipe at home someday.