I love apple season.
I buy the bags of apples marked .99 lb
I stick my nose in the bag and smell that
wonderful scent of apples…
I must look funny, but I don’t care.
I feel inspired to bake…
apple pie, turnovers, bread, and . . .
Apple Sauce.
This is my first year making apple sauce.
My friend just happened to mention that she
was making apple sauce, and because she’s such a wonderful cook,
I asked her how she made it.
I always thought it would be a complicated process,
too difficult for someone like me who usually does
the quick & easy recipes.
But I couldn’t believe how easy and simple
the entire process was.
I just washed, cored, and cut the apples into big chunks.
Yes, that’s right… you don’t have to peel them!!!
That alone is what inspired me to try this recipe.
I combined a half cup of brown sugar,
a sprinkling of ground cinnamon (about 1 tsp)
and tossed the apples with this mixture
along with 10 Red Hot candies.
I then added 2 cinnamon sticks,
one tablespoon of vanilla,
and 2-3 star anise
to the big pot (with the one inch of water).
Just before the water began to boil,
I poured in the apples,
and covered the pot.
I waited til the water boiled,
then I turned the temperature down to a very low simmer
and left it on the burner for about 2 hours,
stirring once in a while.
The whole house smelled of cinnamon and apples!
When the apples were of apple sauce consistency
…you might like yours more chunky or less chunky…
I turned the stove off and let them sit until
they weren’t hot any more… just warm.
I had never had warm applesauce…
but I just couldn’t wait to try it!
… so … I did
and it was delicious!!
I was surprised how good it tasted.
I guess I really didn’t expect it to be better
than the store-boought.
But it was!!
This weekend I went back and bought another 2 bags of apples.
Guess what I’m doing today? 🙂
I froze most of the apple sauce I made
so it will stay fresh longer,
and I plan on making some to put in pretty jars
to give away.
Fun to make, good to eat, and great gift idea!
If you like apples,
now is a good time to take advantage of the sales!
Have a blessed week!
Daisy
A Daisy Garden 
Oh Daisy – If I could transport you to Minnesota, we could go apple picking together as we have had a bumper crop of apples here. I have a secret orchard where I pick my apples, and we could spend the day making sauce, frozen apple crisps, apple butter, and anything apple we could dream of. The trees are loaded this year. Just reading your post makes me think of how amazing the house always smells on apple processing days here. All yummy goodness! Kandy
That sounds like so much fun, Kandy! –I’d love to go pick apples at that orchard with you, and then sit at the table, sipping tea or coffee while the apple goodies were cooking on the stove. A day spent in real fellowship with a friend while cooking up some tasty treats… what could be better than that? 🙂
That looks so delicious. I love apples 🙂
First thing I thought of when I tasted it was, “This was worth waiting for.”
My mom used to serve her frozen applesauce with almost every meal in the winter until it was gone. As a kid, I loved it with frozen chunks still in it. I never have eaten the store-bought stuff. But I’ve never heard of putting star anise in it. Your photos are beautiful as always…
Thank you. I feel like I’ve missed out — all those years of eating store-bought apple sauce! Who knew that the homemade kind was so much better, cheaper, easier, and tastier! So glad I finally tried it!
Your applesauce looks wonderful. We never seem to find apples for 99 cents/lb. They look like the kind I would want to use.
Lillian
They are called “Golden Ginger”. I had never heard of this variety, so I was a bit hesitant, but since the price was so low, I figured I had to try it at least one batch and see how it turned out. I went back and bought the same kind because the flavor was so good and the apples were so sweet I only used one half cup of brown sugar for the entire pot (which was 5 lbs.)
I have been making my own applesauce for 30+ years. Store-bought doesn’t hold a candle to homemade sweetness! Good for you Daisy! Your applesauce looks scrumptious!
Thanks, Laura! I wish I’d known sooner. …But I’m glad I finally got a clue! 🙂
This makes me want to make applesauce! Look delicious!
It’s the kind of thing that’s easy to make because you don’t have to pay much attention to it at all. Once the apples go in, you basically just stir a few times, then when it’s the consistency you want, you turn the burner off. How easy can you get?!
One of these days I will need to try making homemade applesauce–yours looks so good!
Yes! Try it now while apples are on sale! You’ll be glad you did. 🙂
Daisy! Thank you! I have never made applesauce, but you made it look so good and doable! I think it would make lovely gifts too! You always share the best things with us!
Debbie, somehow you always say something so encouraging. Thank you! …and I hope you try this easy recipe. You can omit the star anise if you don’t like it. I added it because I remember my grandfather using it for certain Christmas desserts and I’ve always enjoyed that flavor. However, it’s totally optional.
Oh thank you for telling me about the star anise! I’ve heard of it but have never cooked with it and didn’t know how hard it would be to find! 🙂
Gosh this looks good Daisy– I didn’t know you could leave the skins on for apple sauce– I’m going to try this. It would make it so much easier. AND- I never heard of putting in red hots, but that totally makes sense! great recipe.
P.S. I often smell fruit before I buy it too– If a peach doesn’t smell like a peach, I’m not buying it! — been missing you, glad to find a new post!
Haha, thanks Rhonda! It’s been such a crazy busy time and I haven’t been home much. I think the main reason I actually tried making apple sauce for the first time is because I didn’t have to peel all those apples. My hands hurt when I do anything that requires that much pressure (holding the apples and using the knife) for a long time. The skins just disappear, very few tiny pieces left (unless you like it more chunky). The red hots add a bit of color and flavor, but unless you add a whole bunch, you can’t really taste them…they just complement the dish. I hope you try it. Also, you can omit the star anise – it’s up to you.
Hi Daisy– I will give it a try! Would be fun to do with the grand-girls. I have hand problems too– arthritis in my wrist and thumb– can make all that chopping complicated…
Thinking about your in your busy days… xox
What happens to the peels? I have a bushel basket of small apples here- I mean really small. It took me 2 episodes of a BBC mystery to peel and core enough for a pie. I would gladly sauce them if I didn’t have to peel.
Haha, I hear you! I would not have been able to peel all those apples you did! Unless you like a chunky apple sauce, you will not see but a few peels in the entire pot. I simmered them for 2 hrs and there were only a few left. I actually mashed those with a fork very easily and they disappeared. If you have any more bushels left, try making the apple sauce and you’ll enjoy it for a long while if you freeze some. Enjoy! 🙂
Your apple sauce recipe sounds delicious. I’ve always called this dish “stewed apples” when I serve it warm–but it’s really apple sauce. 🙂
Of course! Stewed apples sounds so good! I think if it was snowing outside, I’d love to sit with a nice little bowl of this warm apple sauce (or stewed apples) 🙂
Yum! Your applesauce looks great–and I love the idea of adding the candies for that Red Hot flavor! We always seem to buy too many apples at this time of year so I will keep this recipe handy!
Thanks! 🙂 If you really want to taste the Red Hots (candies) just add more because the amount I added was just enough to give it some color and a hint of the flavor.
Looks great 🙂
Missing you Daisy– hope all is going swimmingly with you. xoxo
Thanks, Rhonda!! I have missed the blogging world… Ive been packing, getting ready to move… And now working on the house we’re moving into. I’m so tired by the end of the day that I just go straight to bed. Can’t wait to catch up on all your posts! 🙂
God Bless you Daisy!! — So much work! We moved SO many times the first 20 years we were married. I think I could pack in my sleep. Hope it’s all coming together well and you really feel at home soon. Wish I were there to unpack a few boxes for you… xox
Haha, you’re too kind! Only someone who’s moved a lot (like me, too) can appreciate your offer!
Apple picking time is one of my favorite fall activities. I have never used star anise as one of the spices, but I could also smell the sauce simmering while reading this one a while back. Kandy
The smell of apples… Mmmm, the whole house smells like an orchard 🙂