Homemade Applesauce is SO easy to make and makes your house smell like autumn. This Cinnamon Spiced Applesauce can be tweaked perfectly for your taste buds! 

Bowl of homemade cinnamon applesauce next to 2 cinnamon sticks.

Why You Must Make

  • The ingredient list is simple: apples, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
  • You can adjust the sweetness for your palate.
  • Plus, no corn syrup or additives!

Want a healthy version? Buy sweeter apples and limit the sugar you add. Like more than a whisper of cinnamon? Increase the amount. Love it chunky? No problem. This is a highly adaptable recipe. I prefer a mix of two apples for more depth of flavor, but any cooking apple will do.

Labeled applesauce ingredients on a sheetpan.

Ingredient Notes:

  • Cooking Apples – I used 4 Granny Smiths and 4 Golden Delicious, a variety works best for a more complex flavor.
  • Water – Helps the apples cook by providing steam.
  • Sugar – White Granulated Sugar, adjust the amount to taste.
  • Salt – Salt is a flavor enhancer in both sweet and savory recipes. Food will taste flat without a little salt.
  • Cinnamon – I use ground cinnamon, but you may also add a cinnamon stick or two to the apples as they cook.
  • Lemon Juice – If your applesauce is overly sweet, freshly squeezed lemon juice can help balance the flavor.

How to Make

2 numbered photos showing how to make applesauce.
  1. Add sliced apples, sugar, a pinch of salt, and water to a large pot. Cook until the apples are soft.
  2. With a potato masher, mash the apples to your desired consistency. Add cinnamon, taste, and add more sugar and/or cinnamon if needed.

Expert Tips

  • Using at least 2 types of apples provides a more interesting depth of flavor. My go-tos are sweet, softer Golden Delicious, and firm, tarter Granny Smiths.
  • Storebought applesauce often has both high fructose corn syrup AND regular corn syrup listed as ingredients. Granulated white sugar is a better option, plus you can control the sweetness.
  • You can make it the perfect texture for your family. My kids didn’t like chunks when they were little so I’d mash it to a more pureed consistency. Now, they’ll eat it when it’s chunky.

How to Use Homemade Applesauce

  • Serve as a side dish in the fall. It goes wonderfully with pork.
  • Use it as an afterschool snack!
  • Use to fill Chaussons aux Pommes, or French apple turnovers.

Overhead view of small bowl of apple sauce next to 2 apples.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Apples are Best for Applesauce?

I used a combination of Granny Smiths and Golden Delicious apples. Other good choices include Fuji, Honey Crisp, MacIntoshk Jonagold, Jonathan, and Cortland. Use more than one variety for more depth of flavor.

What Should I Do If My Applesauce is Runny?

For this applesauce, just keep simmering to evaporate any excess liquid. Stir occasionally while it simmers.

Can You Use Cornstarch for Thicker Applesauce?

Some recipes do, but I prefer to thicken by cooking the applesauce to the right consistency. If you do want to use cornstarch, note that you’ll need to use the ratio of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to 1 cup of water.
A half tablespoon mixed in a half cup of water would be plenty for this recipe. After adding the cornstarch slurry, simmer until the mixture thickens and the excess water evaporates.

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Bowl of homemade cinnamon applesauce next to 2 cinnamon sticks.

Cinnamon Spiced Applesauce

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Yield 3 cups (will vary depending on size of apples)

Homemade applesauce is SO easy! And you can make it as sweet or cinnamony as you'd like.

Ingredients

  • 8 cooking apples (I used 4 Granny Smiths and 4 Golden Delicious)
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup sugar (may adjust to taste)
  • A pinch of salt
  • ½-1 teaspoon cinnamon, optional
  • Lemon juice, to taste, optional

Instructions

  1. Peel, core, and slice or chop apples. Place apples in a large saucepan with water and sugar.
  2. Mix and simmer, stirring frequently and mashing with a potato masher when apples start to soften.
  3. When your sauce is the consistency you desire (will take 20-30 minutes), taste for sweetness, and add more sugar if desired.
  4. Add cinnamon and taste, adding more if desired. Add a touch of lemon juice if the applesauce seems too sweet.

Notes

If your applesauce is too sweet, try a small squeeze of lemon juice to balance the flavors.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 192Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 26mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 6gSugar: 42gProtein: 1g

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