Make delicious applesauce at home! Make chunky or smooth applesauce with this simple recipe. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup or honey to taste.
– 1 ½ pounds Gala apples (or any other variety of sweet red apple, about 4 medium) – 1 ½ pounds Granny Smith apples (or Golden Delicious, about 4 medium) – ⅓ cup water – 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey, more to taste – 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon – 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Cut peeled, cored apples into 2" chunks. Apple chunks, water, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a medium Dutch oven or large stainless steel saucepan. Cover the mixture over medium heat.
Simmer, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender and falling apart, 15–20 minutes. Remove the pot from heat. A potato masher, sturdy spatula, or wooden spoon breaks up chunky applesauce.
Process applesauce for smoothness. Mix in vinegar. Add maple syrup (2 tablespoons), cinnamon, or vinegar to taste.
Serve warm or chilled; let leftover applesauce cool before covering and refrigerating. Leftover applesauce lasts a week in the fridge or months in the freezer.