\u00a0 A word of caution though \u2026 your family will never want to eat store-bought applesauce again. Mine won\u2019t!<\/p>\n There\u2019s truly no comparison between homemade and watery, store-bought applesauce. The apple flavor from homemade is so much better. And I\u2019m skipping over the vices of store-bought applesauce with added sweeteners entirely\u2026<\/p>\n While it\u2019s easy to whip up a small batch as needed, we usually make a larger amount for canning. If you want the short and sweet version, I\u2019ve included directions for how to make applesauce in the Instant Pot. It tastes amazing with a little bit of apple pie spice seasoning and fresh lemon juice. My kids can\u2019t get enough of it!<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what we do\u2026<\/p>\n Making and canning applesauce probably works best on the weekend if you have littles underfoot. We usually pick a good fall weekend <\/a>and make it a family event. (Extra hands make light work and all!)<\/p>\n Head out to the farmer\u2019s market or apple orchard together and make a day of it. The kids get to take in the sights and sounds (and tastes!), and you can score decently priced organic local produce.<\/p>\n How much to make will vary by family, but it\u2019s an important step to consider. Nothing kills the joy of cooking from scratch and canning like taking on too much at one time. (Ask me how I know\u2026)<\/p>\n In my experience, one bushel of apples yields roughly 15-16 quart jars of applesauce. I usually go for 2 bushels to last our family of 7 for about 6 months.<\/p>\n Some equivalents that are helpful to remember:<\/p>\n Of course, it doesn\u2019t hurt to buy extra for snacking, baking, or dehydrating. We love to make seasonal dishes with them like apple cinnamon muffins<\/a>, apple pork chops, apple cider<\/a>, apple butter, and side dishes like shaved apple kale salad<\/a>.<\/p>\n Making homemade applesauce may not save time, but it does save money. The first year I tried making applesauce I was able to get a bushel of organic apples from our CSA for only $20. (A crazy good deal!)<\/p>\n Although I make sure to get pesticide-free and wax-free apples, I still recommend soaking them in vinegar. I fill up the sink with vinegar and water and let them soak. This removes any dirt or debris from harvesting. After soaking, rinse well with clean water.<\/p>\n You can use a peeler to remove the apple skins, but I prefer to leave them on. Cut the apples into quarters and remove the cores before cooking. (If you have a KitchenAid<\/a>, these attachments <\/a>easily slice and core for you).<\/p>\n You can use a slow cooker, an Instant Pot, or just a large pot on the stovetop to cook applesauce. Simmer the apples covered and on medium heat with a little water (less than a cup of water) in the bottom of the pot. I usually add a few tablespoons of cinnamon to each pot full of apples.<\/p>\n Since I leave the apple skins on, once they\u2019re soft I use an immersion blender<\/a> to blend them smooth right in the pot. A large blender, food mill, or food processor works too. The point is to get the skins blended in so they\u2019re not even noticeable. You can blend the sauce to your desired consistency and make smooth or chunky applesauce.<\/p>\n At this point, the applesauce is ready to eat! This is a great time to dish out some warm applesauce to any kitchen helpers before canning. If you\u2019re new to canning, this helpful FAQ<\/a> is a good place to start.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s to a new fall tradition. I hope you love it as much as we do!<\/p>\n \t
I have fond memories of making my homemade applesauce recipe with the kids every year. We no longer live in an area<\/a> with apple trees (too hot down here!) but I still love making my own. Unlike some canning adventures, I feel like homemade applesauce is well worth the effort. Plus it makes the house smell great!<\/p>\nEasy Recipe For the Best Applesauce<\/h2>\n
How to Can Homemade Applesauce<\/h2>\n
Step 1: Make a Plan to Can<\/h3>\n
Step 2: Estimate Quantity<\/h3>\n
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Step 3: Buy Apples (Preferably Local and Organic)<\/h3>\n
![\"organic](\"https:\/\/wellnessmama.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/10\/dscn0318-e1457893949102.jpg)
Step 4: Wash and Prep<\/h3>\n
![\"slicing](\"https:\/\/wellnessmama.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/slicing-apples.jpg)
Step 5: Cook Until Soft and Blend<\/h3>\n
![\"apples](\"https:\/\/wellnessmama.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/apples-in-crockpot.jpg)
Step 6: Freeze, Can, or Just Eat It!<\/h3>\n
![\"canned](\"https:\/\/wellnessmama.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/canned-applesauce.jpg)
![\"Homemade_Applesauce_Recipe\"](\"https:\/\/wellnessmama.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Homemade_Applesauce_Recipe-200x200.jpg)
Homemade Applesauce Recipe<\/h2>\n