Fresh Applesauce

I had some pretty sad fruit on my hands and didn't want to waste it. When that happens I usually try to come up with some fruity dessert or bake it to salvage.

I peeled 8 red delicious apples and 2 pears that had been around so long they were getting shriveled. Then I cut them into small wedges and plopped them in a sprayed casserole dish.

This baked in a 350° oven, uncovered for about 45 minutes. I wanted a lot of the excess moisture to evaporate while cooking to leave a concentrated flavor. I then covered it with foil and let it cool for about an hour to trap in any remaining moisture.

The cooked fruit and about 1/4 cup of residual juice went into a big bowl and I used my stick blender to puree it smooth. You could also use a blender and leave it a bit chunky if that is your preference. I did not add any additional sweeteners and it is deliciously sweet and natural tasting on its own! Feel free to add cinnamon or other spices for some variety at this point.


This made about three cups. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You could use for snacks, baby food, or baking!

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