Red Delicious Cinnamon-Forward Applesauce
A gently simmered, cinnamon-forward applesauce made with Red Delicious apples, balanced with a touch of acidity to keep it from being overly sweet. Whole cinnamon sticks provide warmth, while a small amount of ground cinnamon reinforces aroma without overpowering. Finished rustic and lightly mashed, this applesauce is smooth yet textured, fragrant, and not sugary.
Ingredients
Method
Prepare the apples
- Peel, core, and cut into large chunks.
- Save the peels if you want to infuse flavor or use them for tea/snacks later.
Cold-start infusion
- Place apples, water (or cider), salt, and cinnamon sticks into a heavy pot.
Slow simmer
- Bring slowly to a gentle simmer.
- Lid mostly on.
- Simmer 25–30 minutes, until apples collapse.
Balance the sweetness
- Add lemon juice or vinegar, taste, and decide if sugar/honey is needed.
- With Red Delicious at this weight, sugar may not be needed at all.
Reinforce the cinnamon
- Add ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon.
- Stir and cook 2–3 minutes only. Taste and add up to ½ teaspoon if needed.
Mash by hand
- Remove cinnamon sticks.
- Mash gently — rustic texture is ideal.
Rest
- Let sit 10–15 minutes to let flavors deepen.
Notes
Yields roughly 3–3.75 cups of applesauce, depending on how chunky you like it.
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