Description
This Hot Buttered Apple Sauce with Cinnamon and Nutmeg is a comforting and flavorful twist on traditional apple sauce. Combining sweet and tart apples with warm spices, butter, and a hint of vanilla and lemon, this sauce makes a perfect side dish or dessert topping. It’s easy to prepare on the stovetop and can be served warm or chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Sauce Ingredients
- 6 large apples (use a mix of sweet and tart, such as Granny Smith and Fuji), peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Melt the Butter: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until it begins to bubble, preparing the base for cooking the apples.
- Add Apples: Add the chopped apples to the melted butter and stir thoroughly to coat each piece with butter, enhancing flavor and preventing sticking.
- Season the Apples: Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt over the apples, then stir to ensure the spices and sugar are evenly distributed.
- Add Water: Pour the water into the saucepan, stir again to combine all ingredients well, which helps cook the apples evenly.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low to gently cook the apples without burning.
- Cook Covered: Cover the saucepan and let the apples cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become very tender and start to break down.
- Mash the Apples: Remove the lid and use a wooden spoon or potato masher to mash the apples to your preferred texture. For a smoother sauce, optionally blend with an immersion blender.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the vanilla extract and lemon juice to brighten and deepen the flavor of the sauce.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and add more sugar or spices as desired to suit your taste.
- Serve or Store: Serve the apple sauce warm as a side or dessert topping, or allow it to cool before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for later use.
Notes
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples such as Granny Smith and Fuji for balanced flavor and texture.
- For a smoother sauce, blend with an immersion blender after cooking.
- The sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container.
- Adjust the amount of sugar based on the sweetness of your apples.
- This sauce makes a cozy topping for pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.
