Homestyle Red Hot Applesauce: A Sweet Heat Treat (Print Version)
Whip up homestyle Red Hot Applesauce! This sweet and spicy treat brings back childhood memories with a cinnamon kick. Perfect for fall or any day.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
6-8 medium apples (Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala), peeled, cored, and chopped
02 -
1/2 cup water
→ Sweet & Spicy Kick
03 -
1/2 cup Red Hot cinnamon candies (or more to taste)
04 -
1/4 cup granulated sugar (optional)
→ Flavor Boosters
05 -
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 -
1 tablespoon lemon juice
→ Optional Garnishes
07 -
Extra Red Hot candies for serving
08 -
Pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, grab those beautiful apples. Peel them, core them, and then chop them into roughly 1-inch pieces. Don't stress too much about perfect uniformity; a little variation adds character, I think! This is where I usually get apple peel stuck to my hair, or accidentally drop a chunk on the floor. Just embrace the chaos, hon, it’s part of the fun of making homemade Red Hot Applesauce.
02 -
Toss your chopped apples into a medium saucepan. Pour in the water, and give it a good stir. Pop a lid on and let it simmer over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes. You're looking for those apples to start softening up, getting ready to release all their goodness. Keep an eye on it; I once walked away for "just a minute" and came back to slightly burnt apples, which was a bummer for my Red Hot Applesauce plans.
03 -
Once the apples are tender (you should be able to pierce them easily with a fork), it’s time for the magic! Stir in the Red Hot cinnamon candies and the ground cinnamon. Watch as those little red candies start to melt, slowly turning your applesauce into that gorgeous, vibrant red color. It's truly mesmerizing, and the smell? Oh, the smell of spicy cinnamon filling your kitchen is just heavenly as you create this Red Hot Applesauce.
04 -
If you're using sugar, stir that in now. Continue to cook, uncovered, for another 5-10 minutes, letting the candies fully dissolve and the flavors meld. Now for the mashing! You can use a potato masher, a fork, or even an immersion blender if you like it super smooth. I prefer mine a bit chunky, honest, it gives this Red Hot Applesauce some texture. Don't forget that splash of lemon juice at the very end to brighten things up!
05 -
This is the fun part! Take a spoonful of your Red Hot Applesauce and give it a taste. Is it spicy enough? Sweet enough? Need a bit more cinnamon? This is your kitchen, your rules! I often add an extra sprinkle of cinnamon or a tiny dash more Red Hots if I'm feeling extra bold. Don't be afraid to experiment a little, that’s how you make it truly *yours*.
06 -
Once you’re happy with the taste, remove the Red Hot Applesauce from the heat. Let it cool down a bit before serving. It’s fantastic warm, but equally delicious chilled. The hardest part, honestly, is waiting for it to cool down enough to not burn your tongue! This Red Hot Applesauce should be a beautiful, vibrant red, smelling wonderfully of cinnamon and apples. Enjoy!
# Notes:
01 -
Don't overcook your apples before adding the Red Hots; they'll turn to mush.
02 -
Store cooled Red Hot Applesauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days.
03 -
If you're out of Red Hots, you can try extra cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne, but the color will differ.
04 -
Serve this Red Hot Applesauce warm with a dollop of whipped cream for an extra special treat.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Medium saucepan
02 -
potato masher or fork
03 -
cutting board
04 -
knife
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 175 kcal
Total Fat: 1 g
Total Carbohydrate: 40 g
Protein: 1 g