Description
A warm, comforting hot buttered apple sauce flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg. This easy stovetop recipe combines sweet and tart apples cooked in butter, brown sugar, and aromatic spices to create a luscious sauce perfect for serving on its own, with pancakes, or as a side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Sauce Ingredients
- 6 large apples (use a mix of sweet and tart, such as Granny Smith and Fuji), peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Melt Butter: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until it begins to bubble, providing a flavorful base for the apples.
- Add Apples: Add the chopped apples to the saucepan and stir to coat them evenly with the melted butter, preparing them for cooking.
- Mix Spices and Sugar: Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt over the apples, then stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Add Water: Pour the water into the saucepan and stir again, making sure everything is well mixed to facilitate even cooking.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low to gently cook the apples.
- Cook Covered: Cover the saucepan and let the apples cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very tender and begin to break down into a sauce.
- Mash Apples: Remove the lid and use a wooden spoon or potato masher to mash the apples to your desired consistency. For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender if preferred.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the vanilla extract and lemon juice to brighten the flavors of the sauce.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the apple sauce and adjust the seasoning by adding more sugar or spices as desired.
- Serve or Store: Serve the sauce warm or let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container for storage in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for balanced flavor and complexity.
- To make the sauce smoother, blend it with an immersion blender after cooking.
- Adjust the sugar amount based on the sweetness of the apples and personal preference.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- This sauce is excellent served warm over pancakes, waffles, or pork chops.
