Holiday Applesauce

Capture the cozy flavors of the season with this irresistibly spiced Holiday Applesauce, a heartwarming twist on a classic favorite. Made with a medley of apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji, this recipe features festive ingredients such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a hint of citrus from fresh lemon juice and orange zest. The apples simmer to tender perfection with a touch of brown sugar, creating a balance of sweet and tart that feels like a hug in every bite. Whether left slightly chunky or blended into a silky puree, this homemade applesauce is ideal as a holiday side dish, a topping for pancakes and desserts, or simply enjoyed on its own. Quick to prepare in just 40 minutes and refrigerator-friendly for up to a week, it’s the perfect make-ahead dish to elevate your seasonal celebrations.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 8 medium-sized Apples (e.g., Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
• 1 cup Water
• 0.25 cup Brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon Nutmeg
• 0.125 teaspoon Cloves (ground)
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Orange zest
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt

Directions

Step 1

Peel, core, and chop the apples into small chunks. Try to keep them uniform in size for even cooking.

Step 2

In a large pot, combine the chopped apples, water, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, lemon juice, orange zest, and salt. Stir everything together to coat the apples evenly with the seasonings.

Step 3

Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the apples cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft and start to break down.

Step 5

Once the apples are fully softened, use a potato masher for a chunky texture or an immersion blender for a smoother consistency. Adjust the consistency to your preference.

Step 6

Taste the applesauce and adjust sweetness or spices, if needed.

Step 7

Allow the applesauce to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1757.2 grams (1757.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	914

Total Fat 2.80g	4%
Saturated Fat 0.60g	3%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 625mg	27%
Total Carbohydrate 239.90g	87%
Dietary Fiber 37.30g	133%
Total Sugars 187.80g
Protein 4.30g	9%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 165mg	13%
Iron 2mg	12%
Potassium 1650mg	35%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2.5%

Protein: 1.7%

Carbs: 95.8%