This 4-ingredient homemade strawberry applesauce is sweet (and optionally sugar-free), delicious, and the perfect blend of summer and fall to prepare using a stove or crockpot!
3 ½poundsof apples (about 12 medium), peeled, cored and chopped
½cupof water
⅓cupof sugar
1pintof strawberriesrinsed and hulled
1teaspoonof vanilla extract
Instructions
In a large pot, add chopped apple, water and sugar. Bring to a simmer. Simmer for 25 minutes, or until the apples are soft, stirring often and checking for sticking. If apples begin to stick to the bottom of the pot, add a large splash of more water. Once soft, turn off heat.
Add strawberries and vanilla extract. Using an immersion blender, blend apple-strawberry mixture until smooth. (If you don't have an immersion blender, transfer to an upright blender or food processor.) Enjoy warm or chilled.
Video
Notes
To save time: If you have one, an apple corer will help reduce the prep time.
Adjust the sweetness: Depending on the apples you’ve used, you may find the sauce is sweet enough to make naturally sugar-free applesauce with strawberries. To avoid adding too much sugar, only add it right at the end, to taste.
Adjust the texture: For homemade chunky applesauce, either blend the strawberries separately or cook them with the apples, then use a potato masher for the combined mixture. Alternatively, use an immersion blender for a smooth sauce.
For a well-rounded applesauce: Use a combination of sweet and tart apples.