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This homemade applesauce recipe is baked in the oven for a wonderfully concentrated apple flavor. With a hint of cinnamon and brown sugar, it’s delicious served warm or chilled.
I can’t make applesauce without thinking of my grandmother. No matter what was on her plate, she always wanted applesauce on the side—even requesting it at fancy restaurants, probably to the horror of the kitchen staff! I know she would have loved this homemade version.
Most applesauce recipes are made on the stovetop, but I prefer baking the apples in the oven. There’s no need to add water or juice to keep them from sticking, so the apple flavor stays concentrated. A little butter and brown sugar give the applesauce an almost apple pie-like flavor, and you can mash it until smooth or leave it a bit chunky, depending on how you like it.
“I had a bunch of apples slightly past their prime and this was a great way to use them. I added a cinnamon sticks and it made the house smell lovely.”
What You’ll Need To Make Homemade Applesauce
- Apples – I like using a mix of McIntosh, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smith apples. McIntosh break down easily, Golden Delicious add sweetness, and Granny Smith provide a little tartness. Using a combination gives the applesauce a more balanced flavor.
- Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a subtle caramel flavor. You can choose light or dark depending on what you have on hand.
- Butter: Gives the applesauce a silky texture and a slightly buttery, baked-apple flavor.
- Cinnamon: Adds a warm hint of spice without overpowering the apples.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
How To Make Oven-Baked Applesauce
Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and cut the apples into chunks, then spread them in a baking dish. Scatter the brown sugar and butter over the top. Don’t worry about mixing everything together—the butter and sugar will melt into the apples as they bake.
Bake until tender: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake, tossing the apples once halfway through. They’re ready when they’re very soft and break apart easily when pressed with a fork. You’ll also notice some delicious apple juices collecting in the bottom of the dish.
Mash: Mash the warm apples with a potato masher or fork until they’re the consistency you like. I prefer mine a little chunky, but you can keep mashing for a smoother applesauce. Give it a taste; if the applesauce is too tart, add a little more brown sugar until the flavors are balanced.
Serve: Spoon the applesauce into a bowl and sprinkle with cinnamon, if you like. Serve warm or chilled. The applesauce also keeps and freezes beautifully—see the recipe card below for storage and freezing instructions.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Freezing Instructions
The applesauce can be made up to 4 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Oven-Baked Applesauce
Ingredients
- 4 pounds apples (about 10), peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch (2.5-cm) chunks (see note)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into ¼-inch (6-mm) chunks
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons (packed) light or dark brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Place the apples in a 9×13-inch (22×33-cm) baking dish. Scatter the brown sugar and chunks of butter evenly over top. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until the apples are very tender.
- Mash the apples with a potato masher or fork. Taste; if the applesauce is too tart, add more brown sugar little by little until the flavors are balanced. (Note that no two batches will ever be the same; the flavor will depend on the tartness of the apples you use.)
Notes
Nutrition Information
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you’re following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
What To Serve With Applesauce
Homemade applesauce is wonderful alongside roast chicken or pork, and of course, it’s a classic accompaniment to potato latkes. I also love it spooned over pancakes or vanilla ice cream.
More Apple Recipes You’ll Love
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My grandma Hilda taught us to only use golden delicious apples,no sugar and cinnamon. We cut our apples in different sizes so it will be chunky every time. I can 50 jars of applesauyce every fall and that is the only applesauce we eat.
It is wonderful! I just left off the butter because I am doing a meat meal!
I prefer unsweetened applesauce and also have a diabetic family member. Can the brown sugar be eliminated?
It can be eliminated, but make sure you use very sweet apples. If not the applesauce will be too tart.
This recipe is delicious! I have always made applesauce on the stove..this was so much better! Thanks!
Did this recipe with “Cortland and Paulared” apples mix…..just wonderfu…mmmmmm….even if we’re surrounded with orchard in Quebec I had never heard or tried to “bake ” the apple sauce….from now on I will stick with that recipe…
There is another way…cook the apples seeded and cored, but not pared, and then put them through a coarse food mill. The peels add color and great flavor, though the texture will not be so chunky.
How long will this keep in the refrigerator?
Maggie, this should keep nicely for about a week. Thanks!
Applesauce can be excellent without any additional ingredients, just apples. I make on the stovetop, sloooowly, and usually do not have to add water. I am intrigued by the oven method, and will certainly try that.
That’s the way I make mine. Macintosh apples, no sugar and a small splash water to start the simmer. Then cover and simmer low and slow until apples are thoroughly cooked and softened. Either mash, or stir with fork to break apples to desired consistency.
I love making apple sauce! I usually blend it but I think I am going to try your way this time. On a side note, the double bladed potato masher is a big let down for mashing anything…
Dear Jenn,
I am thrilled to see this recipe. When I lived in northwest Montana I used to make homemade apple sauce and apple butter. My kids LOVED it. Now they are grown…and still speak of it. This will be a lovely addition to their Christmas presents! This looks much easier and less time consuming! Can’t wait to start on this! I guess this needs to be consumed when fresh? Do you think it would freeze well? Thank you! Thoroughly enjoying your recipes.
Doreen
Hi Doreen, the applesauce should freeze nicely (and I’m sure your kids will enjoy their nostalgic Christmas present)!