Stovetop Applesauce

Name: Stovetop Applesauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs gala or honeycrisp apples, cut into 1/2-inch cubes; 1/2 to 1 cup apple cider or juice; 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

By Sarah On November 3, 2015 | Updated: September 24, 2026

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Lightly spiced and loaded with fall flavors, this stovetop applesauce comes together in minutes on the stovetop and is a great use for extra apples.

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When fall gives you tons of apples…make multiple batches of stovetop applesauce!

Apple processing is still in full swing over here and the situation is starting to get kind of dire. So many apples still yet to use and not enough time to make ALL the apple things.

So what better way to make the most of these little fall gems than to use up a whole bunch in a batch of not only the easiest, but the most flavorful applesauce?? The kind that will make you wonder why you ever used to reach for the jarred stuff.

We’re putting one trusty pan to work today and no kidding, only about 30 minutes stands between you and a bowl of this fall gold.

This Applesauce Features…

Tender apples simmered in apple cider and spices
A perfectly smooth texture
Sweet brown sugar and a hint of spice flavor

Making the Applesauce

(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)

Ingredients You Will Need

Apples
Apple cider
Brown sugar
Lemon juice
Spices

Choosing Your Apples

This recipe is very forgiving as far as types of apples go. I typically try to stick with a sweeter apple such as gala, honeycrisp, braeburn, or jonathans.

I do recommend you stay away from using granny smith apples in particular for this apple butter because I found they give it a bit of a too-tart flavor and require more sweetener to balance that.

Tips for Perfect Applesauce

Cut apples into uniform cubes – this will help the apples cook down evenly.
Use a mix of spices – a mix of cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg give the applesauce a light background of spice flavor.
Simmer applesauce 20-25 minutes – allow the apples to simmer covered until very soft.
Blend applesauce after cooking – you can use an immersion blender, food processor, or regular blender. Feel free to leave a couple of chunks if you like some texture.
Thin applesauce – add a little extra apple cider if needed to thin applesauce to desired consistency.

Slow Cooker Instructions

This recipe can also be made in the slow cooker! Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low 3-4 hours until apples are very soft. Blend according to recipe instructions.

Can Applesauce Be Canned?

This is one of the most common questions I get with this recipe. The short answer is, I have not tried it myself, but I have heard from several readers who have had success canning this applesauce.

If you would like to try canning this recipe, I would strongly recommend reading this canning guide first and learn how to can safely.

More ways to use up those fall apples!

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