I love applesauce, and my kids love the chunky variety so I figured I would give it a whirl. It’s super simple to make, healthier, and, in the long run, is more frugal than buying even the generic brand at the store! This Chunky Applesauce recipe makes a great snack, a slightly sweet breakfast food, or even a healthy dessert!
Before you get started it is always a good idea to read up so you are doing it properly. Here is a great book about all the proper times to heat and preparations for canning. I grabbed this book, just for this post for free on Amazon thanks to Swagbucks!
Chunky Applesauce Recipe
Water or apple juice depending on your tastes
Peel and core your washed apples and place in large stock pot
Add about 1 inch of water or apple juice in the bottom of the pot. If you add too much it’s not a huge deal, you can just boil it off later 🙂
Cover the apples and turn up high for about 5 minutes. It is a good idea every now and then to stir the apples. Apple Juice has high sugar content and burns quickly so if you don’t stir and check them it can burn to the bottom.
After it’s been boiling for a little bit, turn it down to a medium heat. Continue to stir the apples until you notice they are soft.
Now here’s the fun part, and make sure to get the kids involved. Grab a mashed potato smasher and start smashing. It’s a lot of fun! Mash the apples up until its the consistency you want. You can make smooth or chunky this way.
If you want, add cinnamon to taste! I usually alternate between making regular applesauce and cinnamon applesauce!
After you are done having your fun, it’s time to can. Put your funnel into your jar. Fill up until about 1/2 inch below the top of the jar. Tap jar on the counter to make sure you get all air bubbles out.
Grab your magnetic lid grabber and place the lid and ring tightly over the jar. Set aside
Fill all your jars.
After done filling, make sure to put on your water canner.
Fill your pot with water and place jars in the water. Place cover on the pot. If you are doing pint
size jars boil for about 20 minutes. Place enough water in the pot to cover the top of the jars.
After your done boiling, use your jar grabber to remove the jars and set them to cool. It is VERY important to not bump or mess with the jars. Let them set for AT Least 24 hours to settle.
- Water Bath Canning Pot
- Jar Grabbers
- Canning Jars and Lids
- Apple Peeler and corer
- Large Stockpot
- Potato Smasher
- Cinnamon (optional)
- Funnel
4. Cover the apples and turn up high for about 5 minutes. It is a good idea every now and then to stir the apples. Apple Juice has high sugar content and burns quickly so if you don’t stir and check them it can burn to the bottom.
5. After it’s been boiling for a little bit, turn it down to a medium heat. Continue to stir the apples until you notice they are soft.
6. Now here’s the fun part, and make sure to get the kids involved. Grab a mashed potato smasher and start smashing. It’s a lot of fun! Mash the apples up until its the consistency you want. You can make smooth or chunky this way.
Michelle says
I thought you had to do everything fruity in a pressure canner! If you can do it in water bath canner, I might try this!
Crunchy Frugalista says
Nope, this is my second year that I have done applesauce in a water bather. I originally learned to do this from the Pick Your Own.org website, and then just adjusted. I have heard some say the even do it in the crockpot and then can it 🙂
Cheryl says
Looks delicious!
Erin @ Making Memories says
Looks wonderful. I love your peeler!
Crunchy Frugalista says
Thanks! I don’t know what I would do with out my peeler 😉
maria @ close to home says
what a fun activity with your kids. we just went apple picking last weekend and need to start cooking
Crunchy Frugalista says
It’s family tradition of ours each year. I hope you guys have a blast cooking!
Krystle says
I LOVE chunky applesauce, but I’ve never made it before. Would love to try this though!
Bobbie (aka Rebelle ) says
This looks sooo good! Thanks for sharing!