The farmers market has been full of apples for the last few weeks and I have been enjoying snacking on them. I was thinking that it was about time that I got around to cooking with some apples and I thought that making my own apple sauce would be a great place to start. While I was searching for a recipe for apple sauce I came across this recipe for a roasted apple sauce . One thing that I have discovered while food blogging is that roasting things concentrates their flavour and makes them better so I was immediately sold on the roasted apple sauce idea. For the apples, I used half mac and half honey crisp as those were the ones that I had on hand. The apple sauce was really easy to make; you simply toss the apples with some spices, roast them and then mash them. I let my apples roast for a good long time, until they were nice and soft and caramelizing. Because I let the apples roast so long the apple sauce came out pretty dark but it was great! The apple flavour was nice and concentrated and the cinnamon gave it a nice spiciness. This was easily the best apple sauce that I have had. Unfortunately it was a pretty small batch and I am going to have to make more!
Roasted Apple Sauce
ingredients
- 4 apples (peeled, cored and chopped)
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
directions
- Toss everything in a bowl.
- Bake in a preheated 400F/200C oven until the apples are very soft, about 30-50 minutes.
- Mash the apples.
cookworm says
October 21, 2008 at 2:45 amOooh, this looks so chunky and delicious. Love the dark roasted color. I bet it would be killer on pancakes for breakfast!
Rita says
October 21, 2008 at 3:28 amI never really had apple sauce… I guess not so popular back home (Brazil). I apologize for the ignorance, but what does one do with it? Is it like a spread for bread slices?
Natashya says
October 21, 2008 at 3:43 amI love apples, we are not too far from a couple of orchards – just outside the city.
I will have to try making my own apple sauce one day – I love the deep, rich colour of yours.
Bridgett says
October 21, 2008 at 4:39 amI could get used to this applesauce. Just look at that gorgeous color! I think the addition of the brown sugar is perfect. This is a great recipe, Kevin. I hope you have been enjoying this.
Manggy says
October 21, 2008 at 4:46 amTruth be told, I find regular applesauce to be boring. I think you have stumbled upon a gold mine here! 🙂 Love the rich colors!
cindy* says
October 21, 2008 at 4:46 amthis sounds so good. and the dark color the apples took looks just amazing. i am going to have to try this one for sure.
Pam says
October 21, 2008 at 4:56 amI love roasting anything but never thought of doing it with apples. What a wonderful and delicious recipe. I can’t wait to try it.
Elra says
October 21, 2008 at 5:04 amWow, looks very rich and delicious Kevin. Never made my own apple sauce, this make me thinking, hmmm!
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
October 21, 2008 at 5:04 amDelicious and flavorful! A great idea…
Cheers,
Rosa
Paula says
October 21, 2008 at 5:57 amWhat a great idea! It’s never occurred to me to roast the apples first. Oh, I bet it was like eating the filling out of an apple crisp! YUM!
Sabayon says
October 21, 2008 at 6:46 amI love roast applesauce. Once I tried it I knew I would never buy applesauce again. It’s also great with maple syrup, buy the way.
Aparna says
October 21, 2008 at 7:07 amThis how I make my apple sauce, though I do microwave it sometimes when I’m short on time.
It does taste absolutely heavenly.
Holler says
October 21, 2008 at 10:23 amI like the idea of the carmelised flavour coming through in this sauce. I am going to give it a go, it will be a good excuse to buy some cider 🙂
VeggieGirl says
October 21, 2008 at 10:48 amMmmm, such a succulent way to enjoy apples!! Yum.
Debbie says
October 21, 2008 at 11:17 amNever made homemade applesauce and this sounds so simple. It looks delicious and I can just imagine how tasty it is….
Dee says
October 21, 2008 at 11:50 amWhat a great idea! Thanks Kevin! Am definitely going to give it a go!
Jeanine says
October 21, 2008 at 12:59 pmThat apple sauce looks delicious! I’ve never thought of roasting it before, what a neat idea! Sounds like you have a much better farmer’s Market to go to than we do. Ours is closed already. 🙁
Lisa says
October 21, 2008 at 1:27 pmThis is such a great idea. I am going to try it.
We Are Not Martha says
October 21, 2008 at 1:29 pmMmmm this looks like it would be amazingly sweet and delicious. I would probably eat the whole batch in one sitting!!
Sues
ryan manning says
October 21, 2008 at 1:44 pmultimately life-affirming
Gloria says
October 21, 2008 at 1:49 pmmmmmm, Absolutely yummy!!! love apples sauce!! Gloria
Happy cook says
October 21, 2008 at 2:12 pmDelicious. I have never ever seen a much more delicious looking apple sauce.
Maria says
October 21, 2008 at 2:31 pmChunky applesauce is the best. Especially with cinnamon and brown sugar!
Shreya says
October 21, 2008 at 2:40 pmhi, never heard of this, and it looks so good, love the colour.
Deborah says
October 21, 2008 at 2:41 pmThis sounds delicious! I keep wanting to make my own applesauce
cakewardrobe says
October 21, 2008 at 2:44 pmI love apple season! Looks awesome!
Cheryl says
October 21, 2008 at 2:46 pmKevin, you amaze me on a daily basis, my mouth is watering!
Nina Timm says
October 21, 2008 at 2:58 pmI have visions of a nice crackling piece of pork with this sauce…
Bobby says
October 21, 2008 at 3:03 pmYour roasted apple sauce looks and sounds great. I could go for a bowl right about now 🙂
Katie says
October 21, 2008 at 3:46 pmThis is a great idea! What a great way to make applesauce.
Elle says
October 21, 2008 at 3:55 pmDefinitely trying this one! It looks amazing, Kevin!
Marjie says
October 21, 2008 at 3:59 pmChunky applesauce! My favorite! My boys have brought me a lot of apples from our trees; I might have to try this. Of course, if you think yours didn’t last long with just you, give a guess how long it would last here! I’m thinking quadruple, at least.
Robin Sue says
October 21, 2008 at 4:24 pmWow Kevin I have never heard of a roasted version we always did the sauce over the stove or in a crock pot. I think you are right and the flavors would concentrate better.
Jan says
October 21, 2008 at 4:25 pmOooh I bet that is so tasty!
Adam says
October 21, 2008 at 5:02 pmI’ll agree that just about roasted anything is better than not roasted. Your apple sauce looks to have flavor to spare 🙂
Mrs. L says
October 21, 2008 at 6:02 pmI don’t think I’ve ever had roasted apple sauce but what a great sounding idea!
Diana Evans says
October 21, 2008 at 6:34 pmHi Kevin…your apple sauce looks very delish!!! I made a bunch of apple sauce ….but I mixed in rhubarb and strawberries…it is yummmmmmy!!!
you always inspire me…
Hugs
Diana
Lisa says
October 21, 2008 at 6:38 pmApple season is such a delight! What a fantastic idea to roast the apples. I think this is one of the pretties apple sauces I have ever seen.
Anonymous says
October 21, 2008 at 7:08 pmi love applesauce! it is one of my fall time favorites to make it! looks very yummy!
diva says
October 21, 2008 at 7:10 pmthat is gorgeous..love the colour, even if you did roast it a little too long!
Sylvie says
October 21, 2008 at 7:12 pmI can just about imagine how good that tastes.
Pam says
October 21, 2008 at 8:17 pmI’ve got pork chops planned for later this week, this would be perfect with them.
Mike of Mike's Table says
October 21, 2008 at 9:02 pmI’ve never seen such a dark apple sauce, but I’ve also never seen a *roasted* apple sauce–and I’m totally sold on the idea. Something about that sultry dark color makes it look so much better in my eyes…I’ve had making apple sauce on my mind lately, and I think this is the approach I’ll need to try. It looks great!
CookiePie says
October 21, 2008 at 9:23 pmWOW – I’ve made apple sauce lots of time but never with roasted apples – I’ll have to try it. Thanks for a great idea!!
ttfn300 says
October 21, 2008 at 9:40 pmMmmm, how did you know I was thinking of something like this???
meeso says
October 21, 2008 at 9:48 pmThat looks so perfect, and blows away anything from a jar! The color is amazing!
Mrs Ergül says
October 22, 2008 at 1:17 amOh! Don’t worry about having to make some more cuz part of the joy comes from making it!
Martin Jordan says
October 22, 2008 at 11:04 amGood for sauce for pastry too.
Thanks!
HoneyB says
October 22, 2008 at 1:45 pmYUM. I would love having this around to eat on my toast. I love applesauce on toast!
Chocolate Shavings says
October 22, 2008 at 9:52 pmThat sounds delicious – what a great way to use all those fall apples!
emily says
October 22, 2008 at 11:47 pmI love the idea of roasting the apples first! This weekend, we’re visiting my husband’s grandparents, who have asked us to pick their apple trees clean.
I’m definitely going to be trying this recipe with some of those delicious apples.
Gorgeous picture, as usual.
Kevin says
October 23, 2008 at 10:04 pmrita: I like to eat apple sauce plain with a spoon. It is also good on things like bread, pancakes, biscuits, in baked goods, etc.
Lisa magicsprinkles says
October 25, 2008 at 1:28 amI’ve never heard of this before! I think it would be good used in so many different ways.
Jeanne says
October 25, 2008 at 7:46 pmaaarrrgh, a double-whammy! On the one hand you have me positively drooling about the sauce, and on the other you have me yearning for the US farmers’ ,arkets with their fantastic selection of apples. Iwas lucky enough to catch the tail end of the market season 2 weeks ago in Chicago and fell head over heels in love with honeycrisps (just like I did 2 years ago in Connecticut with macouns) – we don’t get either here 🙁 Bookmarked – thanks!
Sarah says
December 22, 2008 at 6:22 pmHey.. thanks for this awesome recipe – I made it this morning and had it with lunch! Fantastic caramelized flavour.
Hendria says
October 25, 2009 at 7:28 pmNow this is my kind of apple sauce. 🙂
Lynn says
November 2, 2009 at 1:24 amYum. I am definitely going to try this with the humungous box of apples I bought today at a local farm. I'm just discovering the joys of roasting 😉 Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Lynn says
November 4, 2009 at 9:02 pmEven doubling your recipe, I've already made this twice 🙂 I don't know if it's the roasting, or the added apple juice, but this is sure some yummy applesauce. Thanks for your recipes; they are terrific. So glad I found your site 🙂
donchewliano says
December 19, 2010 at 4:40 pmHi. Found this recipe using a google search. It came out DELICIOUS. Thank you so much for this recipe.
Tina says
November 2, 2012 at 4:25 amMy grandmother always had canned apple sauce growing up on the farm. I was just wondering if this could be canned and enjoyed throughout the winter?? And how would i go about doing it? Thanks!!!! Can't wait to try this. My aunt and i are going to an orchard on Tuesday and am looking forward to making this!!!!! 🙂
Marie says
November 1, 2018 at 4:53 pmI’d love to know if your canning of this was successful. I think I’m going to try!
Anonymous says
November 18, 2012 at 5:54 pmHow many cups does this make?
Kevin says
November 19, 2012 at 11:43 amAnonymous: This makes about 2 cups though the recipe can easily be increased for more. Enjoy!
Anonymous says
December 6, 2012 at 4:36 pmCould I use apple juice instead of cider?
Kevin says
December 8, 2012 at 5:06 pmAnonymous: Yes you could use apple juice or even water, the cider just adds a bit more flavour.
S Terry says
December 9, 2012 at 2:41 amI made this recipe for Thanksgiving this year, and it was wonderful! Thanks for posting it! Huge hit with everybody.
Anonymous says
November 16, 2013 at 8:16 pmI just made this doubled, with gala apples, cloves and nutmeg. I also substituted pure maple syrup for the brown sugar. Very tasty. My kitchen smells divine.
Irish Fancy says
December 12, 2016 at 12:05 amI live in Ireland and apple cider here is alcoholic; so are you saying to use that? Apple juice here is like apple cider in Texas where I come from. Which to use?
kevin says
December 12, 2016 at 3:43 pmIrish Fancy: I use a non-alcoholic apple cider which is basically an unfiltered and unsweetened apple juice here. Apple juice would be the best option!
Marie says
November 2, 2018 at 8:44 pmMade this today to test. Yummy!!! I’ll be doing a big batch to can this weekend.