Lemon and Spice Applesauce

Brighten up your homemade applesauce game with this tantalizing Lemon and Spice Applesauce recipe—a perfect blend of tangy citrus and warm, aromatic spices! Made with sweet-tart apples like Fuji or McIntosh, this easy recipe shines with the addition of fresh lemon juice, fragrant zest, and a medley of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, creating a flavor profile that's both cozy and refreshing. In just 45 minutes, including prep and cook time, you’ll have a customizable applesauce that can be chunky or smooth to suit your preference. Whether served warm as a side dish, chilled as a snack, or as a topping for pancakes or oatmeal, this homemade applesauce is a deliciously versatile treat. Bonus: it's naturally easy to make and can be adjusted to your desired sweetness!

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 medium Apples (any sweet-tart variety, such as Fuji or McIntosh)
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 0.125 teaspoon Ground cloves
• 0.5 cup Water
• 1 pinch Salt

Directions

Step 1

Peel, core, and dice the apples into small chunks.

Step 2

Place the diced apples into a medium-sized saucepan.

Step 3

Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, water, and a pinch of salt to the saucepan.

Step 4

Stir everything together to evenly coat the apples with the spices and lemon mixture.

Step 5

Set the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the apples cook for about 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the apples are tender and start to break down.

Step 7

Use a potato masher or an immersion blender to achieve your desired consistency—mash for a chunky applesauce or blend for a smoother texture.

Step 8

Taste the applesauce and adjust the sweetness or spices if necessary.

Step 9

Let the applesauce cool to room temperature and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Step 10

Serve warm or chilled as a side dish, topping, or snack.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1273.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	689.7

Total Fat 2.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 156.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 180.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.5g	0%
Total Sugars 140.1g
Protein 3.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 108.7mg	0%
Iron 1.5mg	0%
Potassium 1222.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2.5%

Protein: 1.8%

Carbs: 95.7%