Homemade bourbon cinnamon applesauce is sure to get you in the mood for the fall season. It fills your whole house with a pleasant cinnamon apple aroma. This easy recipe uses the natural sugar in the fruit for sweetness, along with additional flavor from the bourbon or whiskey and of course, cinnamon.
This recipe was originally published October 7, 2020. It was republished with updated photos and step by step instructions on September 4, 2024.
Fall just might be my favorite season. I love picking apples, watching the leaves change colors and feeling the excitement of the upcoming year. This vegan cinnamon applesauce recipe is perfect to make during the fall apple season!
This healthy Thanksgiving side dish would be a great addition to the table along with roasted brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze and mashed potatoes with yogurt. You can also use unsweetened applesauce in baking recipes such as apple oatmeal muffins or banana oat muffins.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Homemade cinnamon applesauce tastes better than store bought! It is cozy, comforting and easy to make! It doesn’t require much attention when it’s cooking.
- The optional bourbon compliments the warming flavors of the applesauce.
- There is no added sugar! The natural sweetness of the apples make for the best applesauce.
Ingredient Notes
- Apples - I like to use a variety of apples including green apples, mackintosh, gala or pink ladies! I encourage you to use what is available to you.
- Lemon juice - fresh lemon juice adds a bit of tardiness to the applesauce. I love the tanginess!
- Cinnamon - used ground cinnamon or a couple of cinnamon sticks for flavor.
- Bourbon - use bourbon that you would enjoy drinking but not anything too fancy. We just need the flavor of it, most of the alcohol will cook out!
- Salt - just a pinch of salt to bring out the natural flavor of the apples.
Substitutions and Variations
- Sweeter - add 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar, maple syrup or honey to make a sweet applesauce.
- Red hots - add ¼ tablespoon of the cinnamon red hots candy! This will turn the applesauce sauce bright red in color and add more cinnamon flavor as well as sweetness.
- Without cinnamon - omit the cinnamon.
- Honey cinnamon - add 2 tablespoons of honey to the apples as they are cooking. This will make a sweater applesauce.
- Chunky - hand mash the apples after the cook and make sure to leave bigger chunks!
- Smooth - once the apples are done cooking, throw them in a food processor, blender or use an immersion blender to achieve a smooth consistency.
Step by Step Instructions
Peel and dice the apples into ½ inch pieces.
Add the apples to a saucepan with the lemon juice, water, cinnamon and salt.
Cover and bring it to a rapid simmer over medium heat. Let it simmer covered for 15 minutes, then add the bourbon and simmer for another 5 minutes, or until the apples can be easily pierced with a fork.
Remove from the heat and mash the apples with a potato masher, fork or immersion blender.
Hint: choose if you want chunky or smooth applesauce! Leave a few apple chunks for a chunky applesauce, or use an immersion blender to blend the apples for a smooth applesauce.
Tips and Tricks
- I recommend making applesauce in the fall during peak apple season! The apples will be best in flavor during the fall months and will have lots of natural sweetness.
- Alternatively, if the apples are not sweet enough you can add a splash of maple syrup or tablespoon or two of brown sugar to compliment the warming spices in flavor.
- If you like a chunky applesauce with texture try leaving the peels of the apples on. This will save prep time and add a rustic feel to the cinnamon applesauce.
How to Store
Store cinnamon applesauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Serve cold straight from the fridge or reheat it on the stovetop or microwave until warm. You can freeze bourbon applesauce for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
No you don’t need to peel the apples. I do recommend at least washing the apples and scrubbing the skin with a brush if you plan to leave it on. The applesauce will have more texture with the skin on, and will not be as smooth. If you want a smooth applesauce try blending the apples together when they are done cooking.
The lemon juice adds a slight tang and helps prevent the apples from browning after they are cut.
Homemade Bourbon Cinnamon Applesauce
Ingredients
- 6 cups apples (about 2 pounds or 6-8 apples) peeled and chopped
- ¾ cup water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup whiskey or bourbon
Instructions
- Cut the apples into ½" cubes and add them to a saucepan with the lemon juice, cinnamon and water. Cover with a lid and bring the mixture to a rapid simmer over medium heat.
- Cook for 15 minutes, then add the bourbon or whiskey. Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the apples can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Remove from the heat and mash the apples with a potato masher or fork. Enjoy warm or cold!
Notes
- You can leave the skin on the apples if you like for more of a rustic feel.
- If you want a more consistent, smooth applesauce throw everything into a blender.
- Add more water if you need to when mashing/blending the applesauce.
F_Tokyo says
It’s the first day of fall here in Japan and although it’s still warm, apples are already in the market. I’m looking forward to making this.
Emily Toshiko says
Thanks for leaving a comment! I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Catherine says
This is delicious, especially after sitting in the refrigerator! I added more cinnamon than suggested because I love the flavor. This is a refreshing side dish. Five stars!
Emily Toshiko says
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it! I also like to eat it cold.
Terri says
Awesome fall day! Yummy Bourbon Applesauce
Emily Toshiko says
Thank you!