Honey Apple Sauce

Need the perfect recipe to spice up your kitchen this season? We’re thrilled to have Katherine Hysmith of The Young Austinian sharing her recipe for homemade honey applesauce with us today! It’s a perfectly balanced treat to enjoy under the changing leaves. Here’s what she has to say:

“Whether you pick your own or just love the colorful variety of fresh seasonal apples, this homemade applesauce should be your new go-to snack throughout the upcoming months. Made with honey instead of sugar, this applesauce is wonderfully sweet and the pinch of cinnamon makes the whole house smell like fall while it’s cooking. This small batch is perfect for a week of lunches, after dinner desserts, or as a side with roast pork or chicken.”

HOMEMADE HONEY APPLESAUCE

Makes about 2 cups
-1 ½ lbs (about 3 medium-sized) sweet apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (preferred varieties include Jonagold, McIntosh, Cortland, Braeburn, and Winesap)
-¼ cup water
-¼ cup honey
-2 tablespoons lemon juice
-Pinch cinnamon
-Pinch salt

1. In a large pot, add the apples, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt, stirring over medium-low heat until the apples are thoroughly coated with the other ingredients.
2. Cover the pot and continue to cook for 15 to 18 minutes or until the apples are slightly broken down and tender.
3. Turn the cooked apples into sauce in one of the following methods.
For a rustic sauce: Mash and stir the cooked apples with a whisk until smooth, with a few larger bits of apple remaining (this is the method used in the above pictures).
For a pureed sauce: Let the mixture cool slightly before transferring the cooked apples to the bowl of a blender or food processor. Blend until desired smoothness and texture.
4. Transfer sauce to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.