Make Ahead Apple Sauce Recipe For A Crowd

Batch Cooking Apple Sauce: A Make-Ahead Marvel.

Prep Time20

Cook Time20

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Amercian

Keyword: applesauce

Servings:

Calories: 561kcal

Start by prepping your apples. Peel, core, and slice the apples into small apple chunks. Try to use a variety of apples for the best flavor and texture in your homemade applesauce.
In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, combine apples, water, apple cider vinegar, and a dash of salt. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, occasionally stirring, until the apples have softened and broken down.
Once the apples are soft, you can use a potato masher or immersion blender to achieve your desired consistency for the applesauce. For a chunky applesauce, use the potato masher, and for smoother applesauce, use the immersion blender or a food processor.
To enhance the flavor, add your choice of sweetener (granulated sugar, maple sugar, brown sugar, or maple syrup), ground cinnamon (or a cinnamon stick), fresh lemon juice (about 2 tablespoons), and lemon peel. Stir well and cook over medium-low heat for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Taste the applesauce and adjust the sweetness or spices to your preference. You can also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for a touch of creaminess. Cook for an additional 5 minutes on medium-low heat to allow the flavors to blend.
Remove the applesauce from the heat and let it cool down to room temperature. Once cooled, you can serve it immediately or store it in mason jars for later use.