ISO help making applesauce

[Addie]

When I make bread pudding for my daughter, I put small chunks of apples with brown sugar in the bottom and then the bread. Pour the egg mixture over it very carefully. When I take it out of the oven, I let it cool to warm and then tip it over so that the apples and melted brown sugar are on top. The brown sugar dribbles down over the bread pudding. It adds a great flavor to a lot of desserts.

[Constance]

Originally Posted by HistoricFoodie

If you have a food mill, peeling and coring isn't even needed.

Cut the apples into chunks. Set over low heat, adding a little water or, even better, apple juice. Cook, covered, stirring to keep from sticking, until apples are tender. Pass them through the food mill, returning them to the pot. Cook until the desired consistency is reached, adding sugar to taste.

If you don't have a food mill, follow Katie's directions.

Once you have the pulp you can go in several directions. Just leave it as plain apple sauce. Flavor with other things, like cinnamon or mint. Or, using more sugar, boil it down to apple butter.

This is the way I do it. If the apples have red skins, the apple sauce will have a bit of a pinkish color to it, which I find very appealing.

[Claire]

I've made apple sauce a few times in my life (and I mean that, very few), and was surprised to realize that you don't actually need the sugar. (I'm not talking if you're canning it).

[taxlady]

Originally Posted by Claire

I've made apple sauce a few times in my life (and I mean that, very few), and was surprised to realize that you don't actually need the sugar. (I'm not talking if you're canning it).

I used to make applesauce, a long time ago. I never added sugar. I'm trying to remember exactly how I did it. I don't think I added water.

[Claire]

Originally Posted by taxlady

I used to make applesauce, a long time ago. I never added sugar. I'm trying to remember exactly how I did it. I don't think I added water.

It's been a long time, but I think I just put a half cup or so of apple cider I bought locally, then slow cooked it. It was just enough liquid (could easily have been water, like I said, it was years ago) to keep the apples from sticking to the pot while they released their own liquid.

[HistoricFoodie]

You probably just don't remember, Taxlady. When making applesauce you start with a small amount of liquid so that the apple pieces don't stick. Once they start to cook they release moisture of their own.

Whether or not to add sugar depends both on personal taste and the variety of apples used. That's why you should always make the pulp first, taste, then adjust sweetness as your tastebuds dictate.

There are all kinds of approaches. My mother, for instance, always made her apple sauce from crabapples. And she included a handful of cinnamon candies as the pulp cooked, and added sugar to balance the tartness of the crabs. When I make it with eating apples, however, sugar isn't needed. Or not much, anyway.

[taxlady]

Originally Posted by HistoricFoodie

You probably just don't remember, Taxlady. When making applesauce you start with a small amount of liquid so that the apple pieces don't stick. Once they start to cook they release moisture of their own.

...

I doubt the liquid I used was water. It was probably apple juice. I had a juicer at the time.

[Sir_Loin_of_Beef]

The best way to get applesuace for recipes is to buy the little 8 ounce snack size applesauces that come 4 or 6 to a package and require no refrigeration. You'll find that most recipes that use applesauce to replace shortening ask for 8 ounces, which is perfect, and they will last in the pantry for months.

[Siegal]

I only made applesauce for the baby when she was eating baby food a few months ago. I steamed the apples after they were peeled and then just pureed them in the food processor. I added some of the steaming water but that is just b/c she needed thin food in the beginning. It was pretty sweet - I did not add sugar. But I suppose it depends on your taste and the use. I also once made apple sauce for an apple tart - same process but I added sugar and no water.