Red Hot Applesauce: Easy Sweet & Spicy Homemade (Print Version)

Make vibrant red hot applesauce with a delightful kick! This easy recipe combines sweet apples with cinnamon candies for a nostalgic, spicy-sweet treat.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Orchard's Foundation

01 - 1 lb Fuji apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1 lb Gala apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 1-inch pieces
03 - 1 lb Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 1-inch pieces

→ Red Hot Sweetness & Spice

04 - 1/2 cup Red Hot cinnamon candies
05 - 2 cinnamon sticks (3-inch)
06 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
07 - Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for an extra kick)

→ Simmering & Flavor Balancers

08 - 1 1/2 cups water
09 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
10 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
12 - 1/4 tsp sea salt

→ Optional Finishing Touch

13 - 2 tbsp crushed Red Hot candies, for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - Peel, core, and chop 1 lb Fuji apples, 1 lb Gala apples, and 1 lb Granny Smith apples into uniform 1-inch pieces. This mix provides a balanced sweet-tart base for your Easy Red Hot Applesauce Recipe.
02 - In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the chopped apples, 1/2 cup Red Hot cinnamon candies, 2 cinnamon sticks (3-inch), 1 1/2 cups water, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Stir gently to mix everything together.
03 - Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the apples are very tender and easily pierced with a fork. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
04 - Carefully remove the 2 cinnamon sticks from the pot. Using a potato masher, mash the cooked apples to your desired consistency. For a smoother Easy Red Hot Applesauce Recipe, you can use an immersion blender or process in batches in a food processor.
05 - Stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp sea salt. For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Taste and adjust sweetness or spice if desired.
06 - Allow the Easy Red Hot Applesauce Recipe to cool slightly before serving warm, or transfer to an airtight container and chill completely. Garnish individual servings with 2 tbsp crushed Red Hot candies for an extra pop of color and flavor.

# Notes:

01 - For a spicier applesauce, increase the amount of Red Hot cinnamon candies or cayenne pepper to taste.
02 - Store leftover applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
03 - This applesauce is fantastic served warm alongside pork chops, as a topping for ice cream, or simply enjoyed on its own.
04 - If you prefer a less sweet applesauce, you can reduce the granulated sugar or omit it entirely, letting the Red Hots provide the primary sweetness.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large pot
02 - vegetable peeler
03 - cutting board
04 - knife
05 - measuring cups
06 - measuring spoons
07 - potato masher

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 256 kcal
Total Fat: 0 g
Total Carbohydrate: 65 g
Protein: 1 g

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