Homemade Spiced Apple Sauce
Apple recipes are overwhelming the food blogosphere right now and I thought I’d throw another one your way. Making apple sauce is perhaps my favorite way of cooking apples. Though I do also love making cider and apple butter. What is your favorite way of cooking apples?
The first time I made apple sauce was a few years ago, and I was pleasantly surprised how easy the process was. Ever since that first time I wait the arrival of apple season to make apple sauce, cider and apple butter. Apples, to me and maybe you, represent autumn. Maybe it is because the range of apple colors mimic the changing leaf colors. I don’t know. As a fruit apples are not my favorite or even in the top five. Sorry apples. But since I strive to use mostly seasonal ingredients, apples do make their way on to our plates and bellies.
My apple sauce recipe today is a bit chunkier than I normally make apple sauce. I was just in a mood for chunkier apple sauce with little bits of apples. But if you are like my husband and prepare a smoother texture, simply mash the apples further. For this variation I used Gala apples but you could really use your favorite apple variety, or a combination. Be aware that a tart apple may require more sugar, or sweetener of choice, than sweeter varieties. I always sample the apples before cooking to see if the sugar will need to be adjusted.
- 4 Gala apples (620g or 1.36 lb weight it prior to peeling and coring) peeled, cored and evenly chopped
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
- 1/ 4 cup or 40 g brown sugar, more if desired*
- small pinch of salt
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
- small pinch ground ginger
- ½ tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
- small piece of lemon peel
- ¾ cup or 200 ml water
- spiced pecans
- dab of greek yogurt
- raisins
- Place the apple pieces and all remaining ingredients in a pot. Cover and allow to come to a boil over medium heat. Uncover to allow most of the liquid to evaporate and the apples to break down. After 10 minutes use a potato masher to further break down the apples to desired consistency. Continue to simmer until nearly all of the liquid has evaporated.
- Remove the cinnamon stick or leave if desired. Allow to cool before storing, or serving. Can also be enjoyed warm as a sweet autumn treat.
As I watched the apples simmer in the pot I envisioned a crunchy topping. Luckily I still have some of the spiced pecans Mike, of Amelia’s Spicing Pecans, shipped me. I used the cinnamon spiced pecans and they were the perfect topping. Each spoonful of apple sauce was soft and crunchy with a sweet explosion of cinnamon-really just perfect. I ate the apple sauce for dessert and as a snack just like when I lived in the states.
These photos will actually be in the eBook. I walk you through the whole process of how a recipe goes from my mind to the final photos. This section has information on visualize the food, color, mood and putting it all together. Additionally this section talks about shooting set up tips, a full styling walkthrough, shooting angles, and lastly basic editing tips. You can see in the photo below the before or straight out of the camera and the final photo after editing. The whole book really has so much information and I could have kept writing so perhaps there will be a part two. (Don’t quote me on that, we will see.)
More apple recipes on Spicie Foodie:
– Almond Butter Baked Apples
– Homemade Molasses Apple Butter, Cookies and Puree
– Maple Apple Cider
– Rye Apple Fiber Bread
– Zemlovka, Czecho-Slovakian Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding
– Apple Honey Cake for My Honey and Life
– Apple Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal
Looks a but festive Nancy. There is no doubt that apple sauce is heaven. You can do lots of things wit it too once you have it…..if you can stop yourself from eating it. Love the chunkiness and the cardomom
My problem is that I eat it all before cooking with it. Thanks Tania!
Divine! I always make my own apple sauce as it tastes just better when it’s homemade…
Cheers,
Rosa
That is so true and applies to many homemade food. Thanks Rosa!
I don’t know why I don’t make homemade applesauce more often. Yours is just perfect…love those delicious chunks :)
You should Lizzy:) Thanks!
Ooooh – lovely! Homemade applesauce is the BEST!
Thanks Ali!
Homemade applesauce is the best, I love the chunky texture of yours!
Thanks Laura
How gorgeous and flavorful with all the spices!
Thanks Elana:)
How have you been? Sorry to be absent for a while. Lots of things going on (mainly kids related stuff)… We always have apple sauce in the fridge – now we have drinking apple sauce (no need to pack a spoon!). I’ve never had apple sauce growing up (it’s not common thing) but when my kids were babies I started to buy them. I love the “spiced” version – I can definitely enjoy this version without feeling like a little kid. :)
Super busy but not bad, and you? I’ve never seen the drinking type-interesting. Hehe, it’s the grown up version:)
Homemade applesauce is sooooo much better than jarred. I love the addition of cardamom!
Couldn’t agree more. Thanks Julie!
It looks very tasty!
Thank you Angie!
Autumn is upon us, as much as I am reluctant to admit it, and what better way to welcome cooler weather than with this beautiful dish. Looks wonderful! Gorgeous photos, as always.
I’ve also been feeling reluctant to admit it. But then again it is a beautiful season. Thanks Victoria:)
Gorgeous homemade spiced apple sauce. Of course I had to also admire your corn on the cob peeler! :) Too cute. :)
Thanks Ramona. It’s funny because it was a prop and kitchen tool gift from my husband. Hehe:)
Wonderful sauce!
Thanks Cherine!
these photos are just beautiful. they capture the whole feeling of autumn. love it.
Thanks Anna! It is exactly the mood I was trying to convey. Glad you felt it:)
This looks fantastic Nancy!!! The presentation and the photography is excellent. Great post as usual :)
I love Homemade applesauce! I just posted a recipe with homemade applesauce. It is one of those comforting things for me. So good
Beautiful photos — they just sing ‘holidays’ to me.
Thanks Joan!
Looks good!
Thanks!
I actually prefer a more chunky applesauce so this one works for me. Great recipe and lovely pictures as always. In reference to the last pictures, it’s amazing how a little bit of light makes food goes from “brown” to “very appetizing”!
Thanks MJ and glad you agree on the chunky applesauce:)
Yes a little light can do wonders to a photograph. I’ll be covering that as well as some tips on final editing.
I’m so behind over here it’s pathetic. I wish I had read this before I made a little apple sauce the other day, I like your tweaks. Good thing we will have plenty of apples around here for a awhile, I plan on making more. I’m hoping after the holidays to set up a space that I can use for photographs, then I need your book so I can make some improvements.
-Gina-
Hi Gina,
Me too, I’ve basically just ignored my blog for the past couple of weeks. Thankfully the eBook is done so I can catch up with you.
Good thing apple season just started. I hope you get your little “studio” set up soon:) xo
I love apple sauce! But usually not the stuff I buy that’s already prepared. This looks wonderful – such nice flavor. Really good stuff – thank you.
Homemade is usually better than store bought for many foods. Thanks!
Oh this looks just soo good! I haven’t been so tempted to try something I saw over the internet for so long. I will definitely try this as soon as possible :)
I hope you give it a try soon Silvia. Do let me know what you think:)