Unsweetened Applesauce for Baking
In this in-depth tutorial, I will teach you how to make the perfect applesauce made with only two ingredients for all your baking needs.
Equipment
- 01 Knife
- 01 Chopping Board
- 01 Saucepan or Deep pot with a lid
- 01 Spatula or wooden spoon
- 01 Mixer or Immersion Blender
- 01 Air-Tight Glass Jar or Zip-Lock Bag
Ingredients
Fruits
- 250 grams apples*
Wet Ingredients
- 100 ml water
Instructions
- Wash and deseed the apples.
- Chop them into slices (medium thickness) for them to cook faster.
- Transfer the chopped apples into a saucepan or pot with a lid. Add the water and cook covered on a slow flame.
- Stir it with a wooden spoon or spatula every 5 minutes.
- Once they are translucent and soft, cook them uncovered for 5-10 minutes or till the water is almost dissolved.
- Remove the pan from the flame and set it aside to cool.
- Blend the apples when they are still warm in a mixer or immersion blender till smooth.
- The applesauce will be smooth and hold its shape very well. Store in an air-tight glass jar once cooled.
Notes
- Apples – You can use any apples you prefer. However, for the best results, read the above instructions.
- Green apples – If you have green apples on hand, you can surely make applesauce using them. I recommend adding a little sugar – just about a tablespoon to sweeten the applesauce without risking the final baking result.
- Storage instructions – You can store applesauce in a clean air-tight glass jar. Alternatively, you can store it in a zip-lock bag for easy stacking/storage. Applesauce lasts well for about two weeks in the refrigerator.
- Freezing instructions – Applesauce can be stored in the freezer in zip-lock bags. However, I recommend making a fresh batch every time you bake for a better flavour.
- Flavouring instructions – Applesauce can be easily customized as per your preference. If you are making a specific recipe with flavourings, add them into the applesauce for better flavour:
- Spices – You can use spices - like whole cinnamon, pepper, cloves, ground ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, vanilla bean or pure vanilla extract.
- Zest or Citrus juice – you can add a tablespoon of orange or lemon juice for a tangy flavour or use the zest of lemon/orange. Adding the zest is a better choice as it will not affect the recipe texture.
- Sugar – If you prefer adding a bit of sugar or are using green apples, you can use castor sugar or brown sugar to sweeten the applesauce. You can also use jaggery, coconut sugar, maple syrup, honey or other healthier alternatives. However, limit the amount of sugar as you may not want it to affect your baked dish. To flavour the applesauce, once the apples are almost soft and tender, add in the flavourings and let it cook for about 30 seconds.
- Ingredient Substitution & Weighing Guide - Read it here