My Mom’s Magical Pink Applesauce

by Lora Wiley-Lennartz
My Mom's Magical Pink Applesauce

My mother has been making this pink applesauce recipe for as long as I can remember. I call it My Mom’s Magical Pink Applesauce. She has been into organic food pretty much her whole adult life. I remember shopping in natural food stores with her when I was a kid.  She was a voracious label reader and always said: “I’m not buying it if the ingredients are as long as the Declaration of Independence.”  Way back in the 60’s she didn’t like what she read on baby food jars so she made ours, putting fresh ingredients into a blender.

My Mom's Magical Pink Applesauce -Chopped apples different varieties

Consequently, we didn’t have a whole lot of sweets in our house growing up. Cookies and ice cream only made an appearance if they were homemade with fresh ingredients. Chip and soda were only for birthdays. McDonald’s visits were maybe once a year. However, we never felt deprived.

My Mom's Magical Pink Applesauce

This sweet delicious applesauce was a big favorite at home. My mother was a single working mom so there was not a whole lot of time for cooking. When she did have some stolen moments in the kitchen, her creativity shone. Mom’s version uses different varieties of apples in varying degrees of sweet and tart. She also adds one pear, the “secret” ingredient. The fruit is cooked in apple juice instead of water.  Leaving the peels on the fruit makes this a quick and easy version.

apples

What apples to use:

I used a mixture of pink crisp, red delicious, golden delicious, cameo, and granny smith apple varieties. I like the mixture of sweet and tart flavors. However, use whatever apples you have on hand.

This recipe uses zero sugar. You won’t believe how sweet it is and the color is so pretty. When I was a kid I thought of this as my mother’s magical pink applesauce.  After making it myself for the first time, I still do.

My Mom's Magical Pink Apple Sauce

Course Condiment, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword applesauce
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 8
Author Lora Wiley-Lennartz

Ingredients

  • 9 Apples, different varieties, I used 2 each of pink crisp, red delicious, golden delicious, cameo and a granny smith
  • 1 large very ripe pear, I used a Bartlett
  • 1 qt Pure unsweetened apple juice
  • 1 large pinch ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Chop up apples and pear into small pieces. Discard the cores.
  2. Place the apple pieces in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Pour the apple juice over the chopped fruit just until the pieces are covered.

  3. After about 20 minutes add the cinnamon and stir.
  4. Boil at a medium heat until the fruit is soft and the liquid is absorbed (30-40 minutes)
  5. Let cool for about a half hour and then transfer to a blender or food processor and process until smooth.

  6. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

chopped apples

Like My Mom’s Magical Pink Applesauce? Also, check out some of these other recipes:

Everything Roasted Potato Peels

EVERYTHING ROASTED POTATO PEELS

Pink Pepper Chocolate Nut Cookies

CHOCOLATE NUT HEART COOKIES WITH PINK PEPPER GLAZE

 

 

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7 comments

wendy@chezchloe September 4, 2012 - 3:34 pm

mmmm good. We are actually back on Orcas and I've got loads of Red Gravensteins begging to be sauced. I'll probably even do a little canning.
I like the addition of pear.

Reply
Paula August 29, 2012 - 1:34 am

I am going to make this and I know I'm going to love it, right out of the jars and as a garnish with my pork chops.

Reply
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez August 28, 2012 - 8:37 pm

Homemade applesauce is indeed comfort food for me. Although my mom didn't make it when I was young, she did start when I was older and I've always made it for my kids. This look wonderful…and I like your addition of a pear.

Reply
Lauren August 28, 2012 - 1:24 pm

I'll definitely have to try this recipe. The first time I had applesauce was earlier this year and it was a Mrs. Beeton recipe which was very yummy but it has a bit of sugar in it. I've seriously reduced the amount of sugar I eat, so it's nice to find a recipe without any sugar.

Reply
Joanne August 28, 2012 - 11:34 am

I am all for making my own EVERYTHING and this applesauce sounds divine! No added sugar necessary, that's for sure!

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Barbara Bakes August 28, 2012 - 9:47 am

I just recently started making applesauce. I'll have to try adding a pear.

Reply
Dana August 28, 2012 - 3:10 am

Thank you for posting a recipe without sugar. I know it's so basic but everyone should know how to make applesauce. Just in time for the holidays…merci beaucoup!

xo from 90210

Reply

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