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.
Oooh, this looks so chunky and delicious. Love the dark roasted color. I bet it would be killer on pancakes for breakfast!
I 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?
I 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.
I 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.
Truth be told, I find regular applesauce to be boring. I think you have stumbled upon a gold mine here! 🙂 Love the rich colors!
this sounds so good. and the dark color the apples took looks just amazing. i am going to have to try this one for sure.
I love roasting anything but never thought of doing it with apples. What a wonderful and delicious recipe. I can’t wait to try it.
Wow, looks very rich and delicious Kevin. Never made my own apple sauce, this make me thinking, hmmm!
Delicious and flavorful! A great idea…
Cheers,
Rosa
What 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!
I 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.
This how I make my apple sauce, though I do microwave it sometimes when I’m short on time.
It does taste absolutely heavenly.
I 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 🙂
Mmmm, such a succulent way to enjoy apples!! Yum.
Never made homemade applesauce and this sounds so simple. It looks delicious and I can just imagine how tasty it is….
What a great idea! Thanks Kevin! Am definitely going to give it a go!
That 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. 🙁
This is such a great idea. I am going to try it.
Mmmm this looks like it would be amazingly sweet and delicious. I would probably eat the whole batch in one sitting!!
Sues
ultimately life-affirming
mmmmm, Absolutely yummy!!! love apples sauce!! Gloria
Delicious. I have never ever seen a much more delicious looking apple sauce.
Chunky applesauce is the best. Especially with cinnamon and brown sugar!
hi, never heard of this, and it looks so good, love the colour.
This sounds delicious! I keep wanting to make my own applesauce
I love apple season! Looks awesome!
Kevin, you amaze me on a daily basis, my mouth is watering!
I have visions of a nice crackling piece of pork with this sauce…
Your roasted apple sauce looks and sounds great. I could go for a bowl right about now 🙂
This is a great idea! What a great way to make applesauce.
Definitely trying this one! It looks amazing, Kevin!
Chunky 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.
Wow 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.
Oooh I bet that is so tasty!
I’ll agree that just about roasted anything is better than not roasted. Your apple sauce looks to have flavor to spare 🙂
I don’t think I’ve ever had roasted apple sauce but what a great sounding idea!
Hi 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
Apple 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.
i love applesauce! it is one of my fall time favorites to make it! looks very yummy!
that is gorgeous..love the colour, even if you did roast it a little too long!
I can just about imagine how good that tastes.
I’ve got pork chops planned for later this week, this would be perfect with them.
I’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!
WOW – I’ve made apple sauce lots of time but never with roasted apples – I’ll have to try it. Thanks for a great idea!!
Mmmm, how did you know I was thinking of something like this???
That looks so perfect, and blows away anything from a jar! The color is amazing!
Oh! Don’t worry about having to make some more cuz part of the joy comes from making it!
Good for sauce for pastry too.
Thanks!
YUM. I would love having this around to eat on my toast. I love applesauce on toast!
That sounds delicious – what a great way to use all those fall apples!
I 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.
rita: I like to eat apple sauce plain with a spoon. It is also good on things like bread, pancakes, biscuits, in baked goods, etc.
I’ve never heard of this before! I think it would be good used in so many different ways.
aaarrrgh, 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!
Hey.. thanks for this awesome recipe – I made it this morning and had it with lunch! Fantastic caramelized flavour.
Now this is my kind of apple sauce. 🙂
Yum. 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.
Even 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 🙂
Hi. Found this recipe using a google search. It came out DELICIOUS. Thank you so much for this recipe.
My 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!!!!! 🙂
I’d love to know if your canning of this was successful. I think I’m going to try!
How many cups does this make?
Anonymous: This makes about 2 cups though the recipe can easily be increased for more. Enjoy!
Could I use apple juice instead of cider?
Anonymous: Yes you could use apple juice or even water, the cider just adds a bit more flavour.
I made this recipe for Thanksgiving this year, and it was wonderful! Thanks for posting it! Huge hit with everybody.
I 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.
I 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?
Irish 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!
Made this today to test. Yummy!!! I’ll be doing a big batch to can this weekend.
I would love this on toast with cream cheese then the roasted apples on top dusted with cinnamon sugar yum!