Canned Applesauce

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Don't let any apples go to waste this fall, use this applesauce recipe to can your apples to enjoy all year.

canned applesauce jars
Photo: Jason Donnelly
Prep Time:
1 hrs
Cook Time:
25 mins
Process Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
1 hrs 40 mins
Yield:
6 pints or 3 quarts

If you're wondering how to can applesauce, look no further. This easy applesauce recipe only takes 3-4 ingredients depending on if you want to add cinnamon flavor. You can make a big batch in just one afternoon. We've also included several variations for flavored applesauce like maple, honey, ginger, and brown butter. If you'd like to freeze applesauce instead of can it, we've got a tip for that as well. Don't just sit there, get canning applesauce!

Ingredients

  • 8 pound tart cooking apples (about 24 medium)

  • 2 cup water

  • 10 inch stick cinnamon (optional)

  • ¾ - 1 ¼ cup sugar

Directions

  1. Core and quarter apples.

  2. In an 8- to 10-quart heavy pot combine apples, the water, and, if desired, stick cinnamon. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 25 to 35 minutes or until apples are very tender, stirring often.

  3. Remove and discard cinnamon, if used. Press apples through a food mill or sieve.

  4. Return pulp to pot. Stir in enough of the sugar to sweeten as desired. If necessary, stir in an additional 1/2 to 1 cup water to make desired consistency. Bring to boiling, stirring constantly.

  5. Ladle hot applesauce into hot, sterilized pint or quart canning jars, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace. Wipe jar rims; adjust lids.

  6. Process filled jars in a boiling-water canner for 15 minutes for pints or 20 minutes for quarts (start timing when water returns to boiling).

  7. Remove jars from canner; cool on wire racks.

Test Kitchen Tip: To freeze, prepare as directed through Step 2. Place pot of applesauce in a sink filled with ice water; stir mixture to cool. Ladle into wide-mouth freezer containers, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace. Seal and label. Freeze for up to 8 months.

Calvados-Cranberry Applesauce Variation

Prepare as directed, except stir in 1 cup Calvados (or other apple brandy) and 1 cup dried cranberries or golden raisins with the sugar.

Nutrition analysis: 128 calories, 0 g protein, 28 g carb., 0 g total fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 g sat. fat, 2 g fiber, 1% vitamin A, 8% vitamin C, 1 mg sodium, 7 mg calcium, 0 mg iron

Browned Butter-Sage Applesauce Variation

In a small saucepan heat 1 cup butter over low heat until melted. Continue heating until butter turns a light golden brown. Remove from heat. Prepare applesauce as directed, except do not add the cinnamon and stir the browned butter and 1/2 cup snipped fresh sage in with the sugar.

Nutrition analysis: 149 calories, 0 g protein, 21 g carb., 8 g total fat, 20 mg cholesterol, 5 g sat. fat, 2 g fiber, 8% vitamin A, 11% vitamin C, 56 mg sodium, 1% calcium, 1% iron

Ginger-Honey Applesauce Variation

Prepare as directed, except substitute honey for the sugar. Stir in 1 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger before ladling into jars.

Nutrition analysis: 112 calories, 0 g protein, 30 g carb., 0 g total fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 g sat. fat, 2 g fiber, 1% vitamin A, 13% vitamin C, 5 mg sodium, 2% calcium, 9% iron

Maple Applesauce Variation

Prepare as directed, except substitute pure maple syrup for the sugar.

Nutrition analysis: 82 calories, 0 g protein, 22 g carbohydrate, 0 g total fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 g sat. fat, 2 g fiber, 1% vitamin A, 8% vitamin C, 1 mg sodium, 1% calcium, 1% iron

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

80 Calories
21g Carbs
Nutrition Facts
Calories 80
% Daily Value *
Sodium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 8%
Total Sugars 18g
Vitamin C 4.7mg 24%
Calcium 10.1mg 1%
Potassium 105mg 2%

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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