Homemade Applesauce: Orange, Apples & Cinnamon, Oh My!

Very few aromas make a home warm and inviting than the smell of apples and cinnamon cascading throughout your home.  This applesauce recipe smells heavenly while cooking. It also is a very delicious dish on its own or added to a recipe to bring that recipe over the top.

Ingredients

8 apples (I used 6 red delicious and 2 granny smith)
1 cup apple juice
1/3 cup sugar (white)
1/2 cup honey (I used orange blossom)
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
1 lemon
pinch of salt

I like to use organic fruits, I know they are usually more expensive but, I will let you in on one of my secrets. When I see organic apples on sale and the price is the same as regular apples, I stock up.  I then will make a double or even a triple batch of this applesauce, as it stores well in your freezer.

AKA Alabama Tupperware

I place some (enough to feed my family as a side dish)  in freezer container so I can just take it out the night before I am going to serve my family say a, pork chop dinner.  I will also measure some of the applesauce out and place in quart side freezer bags, so I can take one out when I want to make the other recipes I use this applesauce in.

Peelingsssssss

In 2 large bowl add some cold water, cut your lemon in half.  Squeeze one half of your lemon in each bowl and add the halves to each bowl.

As you are peeling your apples, allow the peels to drop into one of your bowls.

When your apple is peeled, place your apple into the other bowl.  Continue until you have peeled all your apples and they are resting in your lemony water bath.

Yes I do have a surprise for the peelings, just set them aside.

Cut & Scoop

After you have peeled all of your apples, cut your apples in half.

Take a melon scoop and take out the core. Then cut each half of your apple and them them in quarters.

Place all your cut apples into the lemon water, until you are ready.

By placing them in the lemon water will help them from browning.

This whole procedure will only take about 10 minutes but, your apples (if not placed in the lemon water) will brown with a minute or two, so do not skip this step.

Pour that Liquid Gold

Place your cut up apples, apple juice, sugar, ornage marmalade, honey and 2 cinnamon sticks into your crockpot.  Place the lid on your crockpot, set your crockpot on high for 1 hour, stir, replace the lid and lower the setting on your crockpot to 'low'.

Cook for 4 hours, stirring every hour.  After 4 hours is up then add your brown sugar, mix well and then replace the lid.  With the temperature off, allow your apple sauce to sit for 15 minutes, mix and serve.

No Waste Here

If you are like I am and want to use most 'all' of the produce you have bought then continue with this next step.  You can make your bundles while the applesauce is simmering away.

Take your apple peels and split them up into six lunch baggies (no sense in using heavy duty bags) and set aside.

Then go to your spice cabinet and take out some of those whole cloves that have been just sitting on your shelf since the last holiday season, add 6 or 7 cloves per baggie.

Then place one cinnamon stick into each baggie, close the baggies up, place all our baggies into a gallon size freezer bag and place into your freezer.

Now when company is coming or you see that ever too curious neighbor heading your way, then grab a bag, place into a small sauce pan, take out a baggie and dump the contents into your pan.  After the apple peels & goodies have come to a boil, turn down the heat to a low simmer and just let that lovely aroma cascade all through your house and then you have delicious smelling home.

I Can Hardly Wait to Dig in

Now, I am sure you will find many ways to use this applesauce.  Mixed into a bit of yogurt for breakfast, placed into a cake recipe to replace most of the oil.  Just keep in mind the flavors you have going on in your pot and then allow your imagination take you away.

Yes  I do use this applesauce in a few of my dishes but, my absolute favorite way of eating this sweet goodness is sitting in a bowl next to a few pieces of ham and a side of green bean casserole.  Which ever way you want to use/serve this applesauce, I am sure your family will enjoy ever bite of it and ask for more.

The recipes I add my homemade applesauce to is...

Carrot Cake:  Done Three Ways!

Southern Style: Sweet Potato Casserole

All photographs are the property of Denise O.  Do not use unless you get 'my' written permission. All written material is owned by Denise O, it will not be 'used' (sharing my article is different, it is acceptable and appreciated) without 'my' written permission.  Just keeping it real folks.:)