Homemade Apple Sauce

The sweet and spicy scent of apples, cloves, cinnamon, and brown sugar always signifies Fall is here. This simple and healthy homemade apple sauce can be made year round with just a few staple ingredients and little prep work!

Every late August means the return to school and long awaited change in the air from hot and humid to cool and crisp. Each season has it's own beauty and wonder, but there is something about the splendor of Autumn that compares to no other. It is the simplicity homemade apple sauce and the aroma that brings me back to falling leaves, warm sweaters, and the excitement of new school supplies.

Now that I have two little girls of my own, I want to make their Autumn memories vivid and full of golden hues and sweet and spicy scents. Homemade apple sauce is perfect for getting the help of little hands with the end result of happy smiles and warm hearts.

Cozy Tips

• Use either a Heavy Dutch Oven such as the one here or Crockpot, I had this one for years.
• Gather all of your ingredients ahead of time and chop the apples into medium size cubes.
• Ground cinnamon is great, but adding a cinnamon stick or two is even better! You can control the amount of spice. Check out this organic option that will last throughout the fall season.
• Low and slow is the best option for homemade apple sauce.
• When picking apples, I use any variety on sale except for a red delicious. Honey Crisp or Gala apples have been my favorite. Feel free to mix and match apple varieties.
• Place the apple sauce in cute mason jars, such as these to store in the fridge for a week. You can even tie a quick ribbon or twin around the jar for an extra cozy and sweet touch!

Ingredients for Homemade Apple Sauce

• Apples
• Cinnamon (Ground or sticks)
• Nutmeg
• Ground Cloves
• Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup

The Cozy Details

Gather all of your ingredients together. Peel and chop up your apples into medium sized cubes.

Toss into a crockpot or Dutch Oven and add a splash of water, about a ¼ cup. Next sprinkle in the nutmeg, ground cloves, and cinnamon. I usually will add both ground cinnamon and a cinnamon stick for a bit of extra spice and flavor.

If using a Dutch Oven set the stove to medium low and stir. If you are using a crockpot, stir and set the setting to low for 6 hours.

Once the apples have soften and the color is a nice golden brown, you can take an immersion blender or a wooden spoon to mash up the apples to the consistency you prefer. (Make sure you remove the cinnamon stick if using) I like my homemade apple sauce with a few apple chucks.

Place the apple sauce into jars and allow to cool. Once cool, store in your refrigerator for a week.

May it take you back to school days on a bench with little jars or walking through a breezy autumn afternoon!