Skip to main content

Cranberry Applesauce

A new way to enjoy applesauce that is bright, flavorful and kid-approved.
Cooking for a Crowd

Cooking for a Crowd

Use these recipe sheets to prepare for larger groups:

Kid friendly
Bowl of smooth apple and cranberry puree.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

8 medium apples, peeled, cored and chopped
1 cup water
1 ½ cups cranberries (fresh or frozen)
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
⅓ cup packed brown sugar
2 Tablespoons lemon juice (optional)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh fruits under running water before preparing.
  3. In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Mash to a thickness you like with a potato masher or fork.. Serve warm or cold.
  5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • When frozen or fresh cranberries are not available, substitute canned cranberry sauce for the cranberries and brown sugar. Add 1 can (14 ounces) of cranberry sauce to the saucepan after the mixture has been simmering for about 15 minutes.
  • For a smooth texture, puree in batches in a regular blender, using the manufacturer's directions for pureeing hot liquids.

Comments

Amazing recipe!  My whole family loved it!  I halved the recipe to not use up all our apples, but i should not have!  The girls raved and raved about it every bite and went for seconds.  ALSO, i did blend it to be extra smooth, especially for my picker eater as i knew that would up the chance she would eat it, and interestingly both girls kept mentioning it tased like clouds and that was one reason they loved it so much.  They told me to make it again and again.  We did happen to have a lemon, but next time i will for sure try without because to me i tasted a tad tart, but no one else had that taste....  THANKS for a GREAT kid approved recipe!

I love this recipe!  It is bright and fun, so it really appeals to kids.  It is a little tart and a little sweet, which makes it very tasty.

I made this recipe at home with frozen cranberries, added a few more apples and a couple pears. I did not add the brown sugar and the applesauce was still plenty sweet and delicious!

I made this recipe for a lunchroom tasting this week and the kids LOVED it! They all wanted seconds! Because I was making it for such a large quantity (350 students) I opted to use unsweetened applesauce and canned cranberry sauce. Based on the suggestion in the notes, I ommitted the sugar. The color was still beautiful and it tasted great warm or cold. I would definitely make this again!

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Rice Bowl Breakfast with Fruit and Nuts
Rice and fruit topped with chopped nuts.

Rice Bowl Breakfast with Fruit and Nuts

A great breakfast idea with filling grains, crunchy nuts and your favorite fruit.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Coconut Chicken Salad
Plate of shredded chicken with vegetables and coconut flakes served next to rice.

Coconut Chicken Salad

This simple chicken salad is our version of chicken kelaguen, a favorite recipe from Micronesia. Enjoy the blend of crisp vegetables, chicken, coconut, hot peppers and fresh lemon. Excellent the next day, too!
Prepare:
20 to 30 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Baked Cinnamon Tortilla Chips
Tortilla chips sprinkled with cinnamon are displayed on a platter with a bowl of peach salsa for dipping.

Baked Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Simple and quick home-made chips to dip in any of our fruit salsas.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
24 Chips
Creamed Green Beans and Potatoes
Red potato, mushroom and green beans covered in a creamy herb sauce.

Creamed Green Beans and Potatoes

Warm and creamy dish that is on the table in 30 minutes. A great holiday dinner or potluck recipe.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Peanut Protein Smoothie for Two
Glasses of creamy smoothies.

Peanut Protein Smoothie for Two

Creamy and satisfying protein-packed smoothie perfect for breakfast and on-the-go.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Rhubarb Muffins
Platter of muffins with small pink rhubarb pieces.

Rhubarb Muffins

Easy to make muffins with bites of sweet and tart rhubarb.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
12 muffins
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.