Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce

Monday, September 26, 2011

Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce

It’s finally here. Time to admit that fall has arrived. I can’t possibly continue to be stubborn about this any longer. The days are cooling down, pumpkin spice latte’s are calling my name, and we went apple picking. Apple picking is NOT a summer activity. So I’m caving. And this non-coffee-drinking-girl is going to get a pumpkin spice latte ASAP!

Making your own applesauce is really simple. Hubby and I don’t eat applesauce except during the fall when I make huge batches on the weekends. I usually make cranberry applesauce because I love the combination of apples and cranberries. But this year I wanted to try out a new recipe. This applesauce is very cinnamony and delicious. And I made it extra thick! I love eating it warm. Makes me think of apple pie. Especially when you top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

While I’m talking about apples, do you have one of these apple peeler, corer, slicer things? They’re AWESOME. It’s one of two uni-tasker we allow in the Beantown Baker kitchen (the other is the garlic press). Hubby really enjoys using this contraption partially because it’s fun to use and partially because he knows he’ll get more apple goodies if he helps out. If you have one in the back of your cabinet collecting dust, I recommend pulling it out while it’s apple season!

One Year Ago: Garlic Naan and Chicken Tikka Masala
Four Years Ago: The Cone Method

Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce

Yield: Makes ~3 cups

Ingredients:

6 apples, peeled and cored
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup water

Directions:

Cut the apples into large chunks and put them in a heavy pot over medium heat; add the brown sugar, salt, lemon juice, cinnamon and water.

Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low.

Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the apples are extremely soft and mushy.

Using a potato masher or fork, mash the apples together until you have an applesauce-like consistency.

Better than Store Bought, Side Dish

3 comments »

20 Responses to “Pina Colada Cupcakes”

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1

Molly — March 31, 2011 at 4:37 pm

These are so adorable! A friend once made me margarita cupcakes for a birthday, but I love the sound of all the coconut.
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2

Flavia — March 31, 2011 at 4:40 pm

I love this cupcakes week!!!!! And even Pina-colada cupcakes…..ciao, Flavia
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3

Daisy — March 31, 2011 at 4:41 pm

these look incredible! I am LOVING cupcake week!
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4

Allisonpence — March 31, 2011 at 4:42 pm

These make me crave a warm summer day.
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Megan — March 31, 2011 at 4:51 pm

This sounds like a fun, summery cupcake recipe! Love it!
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6

Rachel Marcisin — March 31, 2011 at 5:32 pm

Mmm these look awesome! But where’s the rum?
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beantownbaker — March 31, 2011 at 5:43 pm

Tell me about it! I’m not excited about the rain/snow we’re supposed to get tonight and tomorrow.
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beantownbaker — March 31, 2011 at 5:44 pm

Good point! They have the flavors of a pina colada without the alcohol. If you wanted to add some rum, I’d throw it into the filling.
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FunandFearlessinBeantown — March 31, 2011 at 6:23 pm

I’d like one of these cupcakes along with a pina colada on the beach!
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Hezzi-D — March 31, 2011 at 8:03 pm

I’ve really been into “booze” cupcake lately and yours looks fantastic! Perfect for a luau or a summer pool party!
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11

Ann — March 31, 2011 at 8:56 pm

Those are truly beautiful cupcakes! I love Pina Coladas and I love cupcakes so…
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Nutmeg Nanny — March 31, 2011 at 9:14 pm

These are so beautiful! Eating one of these would bring me back to Hawaii 🙂
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beantownbaker — March 31, 2011 at 9:18 pm

Ooohhh Hawaii sounds awesome right about now. I’ve never been.
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Shannon — March 31, 2011 at 9:18 pm

oh my gosh, those look adorable, and i love the flavor combo, too!!
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Mary — April 1, 2011 at 7:53 am

Very nice! May I ask how you set the background for your cupcake pics? The solid colors really bring attention to the cupcakes themselves.
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beantownbaker — April 1, 2011 at 3:47 pm

For the majority of my cupcakes, I use a piece 12×12 scrap-booking paper for my backgrounds. I have a big stack of a variety of colors and patterns.
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Mary — April 1, 2011 at 4:13 pm

Thank you 🙂 .
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Audrey — April 2, 2011 at 12:21 pm

I love the garnishes on the top, they looke exactly like little poolside drinks. I have been wanting to try a cocktail-like cake since I went to “cupcake happy hour” at Kickass Cupcakes in Davis Square. Have you ever been there? Because if you haven’t you must go and try their mojito!
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beantownbaker — April 2, 2011 at 2:56 pm

I have been to Kickass before during the Cupcake Crawl I hosted a couple years ago. In fact, we even tasted the mojito cupcake while we were there.
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Paula Kelly-Bourque — April 3, 2011 at 2:50 pm

Such creative finishing touches to a perfectly delightful cupcake.

Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce