American
Stovetop Cinnamon Applesauce
A blend of sweet and tart apples cooks with water, lemon peel, and cinnamon into a naturally sweet, softly textured sauce with no unnecessary added sugar.
8 servings · 18 minutes prep · 24 minutes cook
Ingredients
Apples
- 3 pounds mixed sweet and tart apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 3/4-inch (2 cm) pieces
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 wide strip lemon peel, 3 inches long, yellow zest only, no white pith
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/8 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
Finish
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
Directions
Soften the Apples
- Combine the apples, water, lemon peel, cinnamon stick, and salt in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring from the bottom.
- Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 15 minutes. Stir, replace the lid, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes more, until every apple piece crushes easily against the pot side.
Mash and Balance
- Remove the cinnamon stick and lemon peel. Mash to the desired texture, then simmer uncovered for 2 to 4 minutes if loose, stirring continuously.
- Cool for 10 minutes, then stir in the lemon juice. Taste and add another small squeeze only if the sauce seems flat. Serve warm, or spread in a shallow container and refrigerate promptly.
