Next up in Sips & Bites, a food and drink series that is focused on beautifully and deliciously inspiring treats for wedding and home celebrations, we're sharing how to cook and can applesauce that you can eat right away or later. At least applesauce is a healthy snack because you'll want to chow down on all of it!
Easy Applesauce Recipe for Wedding Favors or Snacking
Inspired by staying-at-home activities and cozy familiar flavors, this applesauce is an instant favorite for anyone with a craving for homemade comfort food. Applesauce is so versatile. It is yummy warm or cold, can be served with pork or alone as a sweet snack, and even made ahead of the wedding day for a thoughtful DIY favor to give to guests. As a popular fruit available year round, it's always a good time to grab an apple for your health and for your enjoyment.
WHAT KIND OF APPLES SHOULD I USE?
Depending on your taste preference, there are many varieties of apples you can use for your applesauce. For traditionally sweet applesauce, Fuji, Golden Delicious, or Gala (the kind we used in this recipe) are great options. If you like a bit of tanginess to your applesauce, McIntosh or Pink Lady apples are your go-to. And if you lean more towards a tart sauce, Granny Smith is the queen of them apples. And of course, blend a few different apple varieties in your recipe for a truly unique flavor!
How to Make Homemade Applesauce
INGREDIENTS
• 6 medium apples, chopped (and peeled if preferred)
• 1/2 cup of water
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1/4 cup of cane sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
COOKING SUPPLIES
• Large stockpot
• Food processor or blender
• Measuring cup
• Measuring spoons
• Cutting knife
• Mixing bowl
• Cutting board
ALLERGEN NOTES
None.
DIRECTIONS
1. Wash and chop your apples into small chunks. (We personally love our applesauce to be pink with a few extra vitamins, so we keep the apple skins on, but if you prefer a more traditional yellow sauce, peel your apples before chopping!)
2. In a large stockpot, add your chopped apples, water, lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, and salt, then stir together. Turn your stove on to high heat and bring your ingredients to a boil.
3. Once at a boil, turn your heat to low and cover your pot with a lid. Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the apples are completely soft and cooked.
4. When your apples are fully cooked, remove from the heat. Allow the apples to cool for a few minutes and then add to a food processor or blender. Blend the apples until smooth. (If using a blender, work in batches and allow time for apples to cool in between.)
5. Store applesauce in an airtight container in the fridge or prepare for the freezer. See below for further instructions if you're canning for wedding favors.
How to Can Applesauce for Wedding Favors
Applesauce makes for the most yummy, adorable wedding favors for fall weddings, especially since you can make it in advance! Properly canned applesauce can last up to one year in cool, dark storage, so even if you had a bunch of favor leftovers, then you can still have a delicious treat to have at home after the wedding.
There are a few ways to can applesauce, and it comes down to preference, but the one we recommend for wedding favors is "water bath canning."
WHAT IS A WATER BATH CANNER?
This is the main cooking tool you need for canning! A water bath canner is essentially a giant pot with metal jar racks inside of it. You can buy a modern electric canning appliance or you can go the traditional route with a water canning pot.
THE BASICS OF WATER BATH CANNING
1. Ensure all of your glass jars, lids, and lid rings are new and sterilized. Wash everything thoroughly in addition to your kitchen countertops. You need a bacteria-free environment to help with long shelf life foods!
2. With your cooked applesauce, fill your clean glass jars and leave about a half of an inch (1/2") at the top of your jar empty. Use a small non-metal spatula to scrape down the inside of the jar and remove any air bubbles.
3. Wipe your glass jar rims clean. This is a must for proper canning! After you have done so, place warm metal lids and metal lid rings securely on your jars. It is highly recommended by home canning experts that the lids and lid rings are warm.
4. In boiling water, place your jars in your water bath canner pot for 20 minutes or follow the manufacturer instructions for your electric canner. (Adjust cooking time if you live at a higher altitude since this does affect the canning process.) Your jars should not touch the bottom of the canner or other jars. Hot water must be able to flow freely around all sides of the jars.
For more information on water bath canning, we found Simply Canning's in-depth guide super helpful with lots more advice for beginners.
Pick Your Own Apples in Virginia and Support Local
If you want to go the fully handmade route and are wanting to make applesauce around harvest time (e.g., late August to early November in Virginia), there are so many wonderful orchards and local farms to support. Visit their websites to see which apple varieties are available to pick before you visit!
• Cullipher Farm - Virginia Beach, VA
• Carter Mountain Orchard - Charlottesville, VA
• Dickie Bros Orchard - Roseland, VA
• Hartland Orchard - Markham, VA
• Stribling Orchard - Markham, VA
• Great Country Farms - Bluemont, VA
Editor's Note: While there are so many orchards and farms from which to choose in Virginia, the ones we're sharing on our short list have clear, direct information about their apple picking on their websites and are consistently open every year for visitors to pick their own apples.
See More Fruit-Inspired Ideas
on Tidewater and Tulle
• Spiced Cherry Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
• Fig and Peach Wedding Color Inspiration
• Apple Cider Cake Recipe
• Cranberry-Inspired Wedding Proposal Ideas
• Upside Down Caramelized Banana Cakelets Recipe
• Cheerful Real Wedding with Citrus Fruit Details
• Roasted Strawberry Milkshake Parfait Recipe
Sips & Bites is Tidewater and Tulle's food and drink series that is focused on beautifully and deliciously inspiring treats for wedding and home celebrations.
RECIPE CREDITS
Photography, Recipe, & Styling: Chelsea LaVere
