Easy Peasy Applesauce

It is apple season here in the Carolinas! Making homemade applesauce is somewhat of a special occasion around here since a healthy store-bought alternative (with no sugar added) can easily be found. But nothing beats this homemade Easy Peasy Applesauce recipe. I love that this recipe freezes well, too!

Ingreadient

• 3 pounds apples (cut into ½ inch or 1 inch slices (no need to peel them unless you have an extra hour you want to kill, any variety is good))
• ½ cup apple juice (or cider)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 stick cinnamon (optional)
• 2 tablespoons honey (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (ground)

Step by step

1. Combine the apples, apple juice/cider, lemon juice, and cinnamon stick (if using) into a large pot. Cover and simmer for 20 – 25 minutes or until tender (but not mushy).
2. Remove the cinnamon stick (if using) and transfer warm apple mixture to a food processor (or you can mash by hand with a potato masher) and add honey (if using) and nutmeg. Puree to desired chunkiness. Serve, refrigerate, or freeze the leftovers!