Maple Spice Applesauce is a Delicious Twist on a Classic!
This maple spice applesauce is lightly sweetened with real maple syrup and spiced up with a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg. If you are looking for a tasty way to use your apple harvest, this recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth without over-indulging.
Use this homemade applesauce to top pancakes, waffles, or vanilla ice cream, or add some granola and try it for breakfast. I like it with Greek yogurt or with a graham cracker crumbled on top for a quick and easy snack.
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Make a Small Batch or Make a Lot!
I have 2 bushels of apples on order from the Amish this fall. I’m looking forward to canning a big batch of this applesauce for our winter pantry! In the meantime, I found a bag of discounted Honeycrisp apples at the store. Some had bruises or scrapes on them but I knew they would be great for a small batch of maple spice applesauce.
If you decide to make a big batch, the extra may be frozen or canned for later. For canning instructions, check out my post How to Make Homemade Applesauce – 2 Easy Recipes and Canning Instructions. You’ll also find instructions there for making a quick batch of microwaved applesauce – super easy!
What Kind of Apples Should I Use?
That’s a good question! You can use any variety of apples you have on hand to make your own applesauce. If you are using sweet apples, add about 2 or 3 tablespoons of lemon juice for every 8 cups of apples. This will enhance the flavor and give the finished applesauce a sweet-tart taste. If you are using a tart apple, increase the amount of maple syrup in your recipe.
Adjust This Maple Spice Applesauce Recipe to Suit Your Tastes
There really aren’t any rules for making applesauce. Just make sure you wash the apples well, peel them (unless you want the peels included), and remove the cores. Adjust the amount of maple syrup (or other sweeteners) and spices to suit your taste.
I like chunky-style applesauce, so I don’t cook the apples down for very long. If you like a smooth texture, cook your apples longer or puree them after the sauce cools down.
Here’s the Recipe…
Maple Spice Applesauce
Ingredients
- 8 cups tart apples coarsely chopped
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Wash, peel, core, and chop apples.
- Add 1 cup of water and apples to a large saucepan and place on a medium burner.
- Bring the pot to a low boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low. (Be careful not to burn the apples on the bottom.)
- Simmer until apples are soft and water has evaporated somewhat. Cook less for chunky applesauce or cook longer for a smooth texture.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Add maple syrup and spices and stir to combine. For very smooth applesauce, puree the finished product in your blender in small batches.
- You may add a little more maple syrup and spices to taste. Add in small increments to prevent over-sweetening. For a more sweet-tart flavor, add 2 or 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and combine.
- Cool and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for later. Ladle into freezer safe containers. Leave 1-inch headspace, label and freeze for up to 1 year.
Using Maple Syrup to Sweeten Applesauce
Maple syrup makes a wonderful addition to applesauce if you like a little extra flavor and sweetness. Sure, you can use sugar, honey, or even some concentrated apple juice to sweeten your apples but real maple syrup tastes amazing in this recipe!
My cousins make maple syrup and every year they share some with us…it’s such a treat! They tap sweet maples on my Dad’s land in Western New York. In return, they are sure to give our family some of the rewards of their labor. It’s a pretty sweet deal for us!
We use real maple syrup on our pancakes, French toast, and in oatmeal. Sometimes I sweeten my homemade granola with it. It also works really well as a sugar substitute in baking and cooking. I’ve tried the fake stuff and let’s just say, I’m not a fan! I’d rather not have any syrup if it isn’t the real deal. 🙂
Want more delicious recipes using maple syrup? Check out my posts Easy Pumpkin Butter Sweetened with Maple Syrup, Maple Nut Granola, and How to Make Jack Wax and Hard Maple Candy!
Check out my review, Sweet Maple by Michelle Visser is a Sweet Read!
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Looks so good!
Thanks! It’s super easy, too 🙂
I have never actually made applesauce! I’m going to have to try this – I like the idea of maple spice.
Hi Jasmine!
I have never been able to enjoy the storebought stuff…I grew up eating homemade. Once you try it you’ll never want storebought again!
The maple spice makes this applesauce even better, lol!
This looks delicious! TFS, Pinned!
Hi Amy! Thank you and thanks for pinning! Hope you get a chance to try it. 🙂
Hi Laurie!
I don’t usually sweeten by applesauce very much, but you’re right…this is worth the indulgence!
This looks soooo good!
We also either go for the real maple syrup or skip it altogether!
We have friends in the Upper Peninsula of MI, and they run their own maple syrup farm. One time we went to help them, and that was so much fun! But good pure sweet maple syrup is the best for sure!
I’d love to try your applesauce. Normally I like unsweetened, but with maple syrup, maybe that would be great for a little indulgence!
Yum!