Chunky Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe

A close up look at a jar of chunky applesauce.

5 from 2 votes

Chunky Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe

A chunky, homestyle applesauce. The sauce is sweet enough even without added sugar. Simmering the apples with cinnamon sticks adds a great flavor and makes the house smell like heaven.

Prep Time15

Cook Time40

Total Time55

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 1/3 cup servings

Calories: 93kcal

Author: Michelle Miller

Ingredients

3 pounds apples sweet-tart variety, like pink lady or honeycrisp
1/2 cup water
4 cinnamon sticks

Instructions

Thoroughly wash apples. Cut apples into quarters or use an apple slicer/corer to cut apples into wedges. Use a pairing knife to cut peels off of apple sections. Tip: Add apples to a bowl of water with a splash of lemon juice to prevent apples from browning while you work.
Add apples to a large pot with 1/4 cup of water and cinnamon sticks.
Heat the pot over medium-low heat with the lid on the pan.
Simmer apples on low to medium-low for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Do not overstir apples or they will completely break down rather than holding a chunky texture.
Continue simmering the apples for another 30-45 minutes, until the texture is soft but retains a chunky texture.
Once the applesauce has cooled, store it in glass jars or glass storage containers.

Notes

How to Store Applesauce

Rather than canning my applesauce to preserve it, I prefer to eat it fresh or freeze it.

After the applesauce has fully cooled, add it to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 10 days.

To Freeze Applesauce: After the applesauce has cooled to room temperature, place it in freezer safe containers. Freeze the applesauce for up to 6 months. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight or let it thaw at room temperature for 2-3 hours.

Tips for Making Homemade Applesauce

Non-organic apple skins have a high level of pesticide residue, so if you can’t buy organic apples, it’s best to just throw away the skins. Buying organic apples is always recommended.
This recipe is sugar free. If you have never tried making applesauce without sugar, try it! You might be surprised at how sweet it is all on it’s own. I actually can’t imagine adding sugar.

Nutrition