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Made this tonight after a trip to some apple orchards in Wisconsin with my sister and mom. For such a simple recipe, the results were amazing! Love this recipe, and the story behind it (I use my grandmother’s recipes all the time). Thank you for sharing this!
It’s really hard to forget about this kind of stuff.
It’s also hard to forget about these, even though that has nothing to do with apples or Fridays.
And as long as we’re going down this road, I’m having a very very hard time not thinking about this show all the time. It’s borderline obsessive. And by borderline, I mean full-blown
I wouldn’t be mad at you if you clicked that link and got sidetracked for a few hours. It might be simultaneously the best and worst thing that’s ever happened to you.
But don’t leave forever, because I am giving you something valuable today.
It’s my Grandma’s recipe for homemade applesauce. Let me just say – don’t mess with my Grandma. She knows how to make a killer applesauce, and applesauce is just one of her many delicious treats that will make their appearance on Pinch of Yum as soon as she sends more food my way (hint, hint).
Did you know you can also make applesauce in an Instant Pot? It’s my new favorite way to do it with my kids. Magic!

Classic Homemade Applesauce
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
My grandma’s recipe for her classic homemade applesauce. Just Granny Smith apples, sugar, water, and cinnamon. Thick, sweet, and delicious!
Ingredients
- 12 Granny Smith apples
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 3/4 cup sugar
- cinnamon to taste, or red hot candies
Instructions
- Peel and slice the apples into small pieces. Put apples in a pot.
- Add water to pot and bring to a low boil over medium heat, mashing apples as they cook down. Keep the pot covered.
- When desired consistency, add sugar, cinnamon and/or red hot candies. Bring to a boil and then recover and remove from heat. Let cool in the pot and then refrigerate.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade applesauce, applesauce recipe
Grandma, I love you. Thanks for being smart, loving, and always ready with snacks.
What about you? Do you have any cherished family recipes?
Mmmk, I feel a little weird that I just used the word cherished, but you’ll forgive me because it’s Friday. Fridays make everything better.



This applesauce recipe is fantastic! I love how simple and wholesome it is. Canāt wait to try it with some fresh apples from the farmers’ market. Thanks for sharing!
I have been looking for an easy recipe to use for all the apples I have, to make apple sauce and I decided to try your grandmother’s. It seems so easy to make…..
I’m a man that loves to cook and bake. Semi-retired mechanical engineer and Harley rider.
I will let you know how it comes out.
Thank you, Sampson from Boulder Creek California
Yes! This is the way my mom (and now me) has always made applesauce! Except we use brown sugar instead of white and any kind of apple works! I use ones that arenāt as tart, and only use 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup of brown sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon. So good!
Sorry my comment posted twice. It was loading slow, so I tried to cancel it and resubmit and it ended up posting the first one as well.𤪠Love your recipes! The air fryer tofu with the gochujang sauce and sesame butter noodles is one of my faves! Love it sooo much!š
Yes! This is the way my mom (and now me) has always made applesauce! Except we use brown sugar instead of white and any kind of apple works! I use ones that arenāt as tart, and only use 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup of brown sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon. So good!
I just tried your classic homemade applesauce recipe, and it turned out amazing! The flavor is so much better than store-bought, and it was super easy to make. Thanks for sharing such a delicious and simple recipe!
When I was younger. I went to my grandmothers house .we made homemade applesauce. I remember she would peel the apples and I would add the water to the pot.once it was time she let me add the sugar and the red hot candy .I used to eat some . As the red hots melt it gave the sauce a pinkish color, at the same time the cinnamon added the flavor.Use a hand masher to mash apples .. chunky or a sauce consistency. Pour into a container and refrigerate or eat warm.. Try adding a little to some vanilla ice cream. #Applesauce,#Brach’s Cinnamon Imperials (Red Hot Candies)#memories #mlk winter storm in Maine 2023
Just made a batch of apple sauce used about 15 or 20 red hot candies could have added few more for brightness . My grandmother used to make it this way all the time. Ate the red hots everytime she made a batch of apple sauce
Will this recipe freeze well? It sounds sooooo good!
We haven’t tried freezing the applesauce, but we think it will work out just fine!
I used apple cider instead of the water and added a little maple syrup. Delicious.
Glad you enjoyed this, Ann! š
Good apple sauce but WAY too much sugar. I was rather disappointed after spending so much time peeling so many apples that it turned out to be so super sweet.
What would happen if I used brown sugar.?
I made this recipe because my son is sick on Thanksgiving, and I did NOT want to go to the store. I had a bunch of apples, so what the hey.
I must say, it turned out delicious. I am waiting for it to cool so he can eat, but I already burned my lips.
The only thing is how tedious it is to peel and dice the apples, but it is well worth the effort.
Thanks for the post.
I’m part of a community outreach program that feeds the homeless in our community. We received a large donation of GS apples and I stumbled across your recipe. I want to make it for this weekend. What size apples did you use? Ours are quite small but I have about 100 of them. I appreciate your time and feedback.
will this taste just as delicious with macon and macintosh?
We think so!
This is my first time making homemade applesauce. This recipe is so easy and tastes delicious!!
Great, Robin!
I’m making this homemade applesauce for my sons teachers for their Christmas gifts. I’m super excited and I know they are going to love it! Thanks for this recipe!
I love homemade applesauce but I do a time saving change and no need for water. I do have an apple peeler that peels, Cores and slices an apple in seconds so make a lot of applesauce when in season. BUT to save time and cooking I microwave the 5 lb bag of apples after sliced for 20 mins. Then in food processor adding the sugar ( I use Splenda ) cinnamon, and nutmeg to taste. Then canning as many jars as applesauce I made. My family and friends always ask for my applesauce when I come to dinner. My grandson won’t eat anything on his dish unless It is has a pile of applesauce. You can pulse it for chunky or smooth. Takes only mins to process applesauce skipping all the cooking and no need to add any water. Just microwave apples and add your spices. Bingo, best applesauce ever!!!!
First I must say how much I LOVE the way you write!!! You crack me up on a daily basis. I’m pretty sure if we were friends we would be in deep trouble eating dark salted chocolate (for breakfast when the kids weren’t looking) on a regular basis, trying to convince those around us that it is a breakfast food…okay, okay, maybe we would have a piece of peanut butter toast on the side. Anyway….I just scored 2 huge bags of apples from my girlfriend’s tree. Time to try out your Grandma’s applesauce. Pretty sure it will be one of my favorite things…with the chocolate on the side. š
PS. I made your recipe for the salted caramel apple upside down cake yesterday. Gone already. Mmmmm Mmmmm good!!!
Glad to hear it! Thanks Vicki! š š
Hi, this looks yummy! How much does this make? Trying to make some to freeze, so just wondering how to adjust it accordingly. Thanks!