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)

Garden Sloppy Joes
Open faced buns with a saucy meat and vegetable mix.

Garden Sloppy Joes

Healthy vegetable-packed lunch or dinner favorite!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
6 Sandwiches
Kamut Breakfast Bowl with Tofu and Garbanzo Bean Scramble
Bowls of kamut with a tofu and vegetable topping.

Kamut Breakfast Bowl with Tofu and Garbanzo Bean Scramble

This savory and satisfying breakfast bowl features kamut, an ancient form of wheat with a firm texture and nutty flavor.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
8 servings
Fruit Salad
Footed dessert glasses filled with a fruit mix coated in yogurt.

Fruit Salad

A favorite recipe by many of our educators, as it is so easily adaptable and tasty.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Green Salad with Peas
Lettuce bed topped with peas and feta cheese on a plate.

Green Salad with Peas

Fresh green salad, tossed with peas, cucumber and creamy feta.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Sesame Noodles with Broccoli and Chicken
Bowl of noodles, broccoli and chicken with a light sauce and sesame seeds.

Sesame Noodles with Broccoli and Chicken

Whole-wheat noodles with broccoli and a savory sesame sauce. The perfect meal any night of the week.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 cups
Harissa Roasted Butternut Squash
Wooden bowl of seasoned butternut squash, pumpkin seeds and fresh herbs.

Harissa Roasted Butternut Squash

Thanks to Chef Nephi Craig for this beautiful recipe for seasoned squash sprinkled with seeds, nuts and herbs.
Prepare:
25 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
6 cups