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Cinnamon Spiced Applesauce

posted by Liz Berg on September 29, 2022 (updated 11/25/22)

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.

Table of Contents hide

5 How to Use Homemade Applesauce

6 Frequently Asked Questions

7 You May Also Like:

8 Cinnamon Spiced Applesauce

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

Add sliced apples, sugar, a pinch of salt, and water to a large pot. Cook until the apples are soft.
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.

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.