Apple Slices and Applesauce

The apple slices and applesauce start out the same, we basically puree the apple slices once they are cooked to create applesauce. You can add more sugar and spices at this time too based on how you like your applesauce.

We make smooth applesauce, chunky applesauce, low sugar applesauce and a sweet version that tastes like apple pie.

Another thing, we only use Honeycrisp Apples (we use #2 apples to lower the cost), we prefer the sweet and tart combination of flavors from Honeycrisp. The internet will show you the many apple types that work for sliced apples and applesauce.

Apple Slices and Applesauce

This is a tasty recipe that uses Honeycrisp Apples (#2 Apples are affordable)
Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 2 c Water
  • 4 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • ¼ bushel Apples (approximately 10-12 pounds) Honeycrisp are our favorite apples!!!
  • 3 c Granulated Sugar Basic Recipe
  • 1 c Granulated Sugar (Add to Sweeten if desired)
  • 1 tbsp Cinnamon (Add to taste if desired)

Instructions
 

  • Gather and wash apples in a batch of 11-13 pounds, about a quarter of a bushel.
    Apples in Sink
  • Gather water and lemon juice and add to saucepan or crockpot.
    Water and Lemon Juice
  • Peel and slice apples (this tool is great and makes the job go quickly!!)
    apple on peeler
  • Add apple slices to the lemon juice and water, stirring to be sure all apples have been coated.
    Add apple slices to lemon
  • Cook the apple slices until soft but still firm (20 minutes in pan, longer in crockpot).
  • Move cooked apple slices to pan, add sugar and spices (more to taste).
    Sliced Apples - Pan
  • Simmer in pan until sugar has thickened into a nice syrup.
    Apples Simmer
  • Carefully spoon apple slices and syrup into prepared canning jars and clean jar rims.
  • Proceed with canning process (boiling water bath for 20 minutes).
    Boiling Jars

Additional Steps for Applesauce

  • Remove apple slices from heat and allow to cool.
    Sliced Apples - Pan
  • Puree apple slices with syrup until smooth (leave some larger chunks if preferred).
  • Return apple puree to pan and simmer until applesauce is heated thoroughly and it slowly bubbles.
    Simmer Applesauce
  • Add applesauce to prepared canning jars, clean jar rims.
    Applesauce to Jars
  • Proceed with canning process (boiling water bath for 20 minutes).
    Boiling Jars

Notes

Since we process multiple batches in a day, we use a crockpot to soften the apple slices before adding them to a pan with sugar to cook down.  The crockpot cooks the apple slices slowly so we have more time to work on the other steps without the apples making too soft.  
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!