Skip to main content

Cranberry Applesauce

A kid-approved, bright and flavorful take on traditional applesauce.
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)

Blueberry Crisp
A dish of baked blueberries with a golden oat topping.

Blueberry Crisp

This low-sugar dessert is made with whole-grain oats, warm cinnamon spice and sweet berries. More berries than topping lets the fruit shine!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Watermelon with Lime and Chili Powder
Plate of seasoned watermelon chunks.

Watermelon with Lime and Chili Powder

A simple and healthy snack that is sweet, spicy and citrusy.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 Cups
Black-Eyed Peas and Greens
Bowl of Black-Eyed Peas and Greens.

Black-Eyed Peas and Greens

Comforting and filling, this recipe is easy to make for New Year’s luck any time of the year.
Prepare:
15 minutes + 6 hours to soak
Cook:
1 hour 10 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Tabouli Bulgur Wheat Salad
Bowl of vegetables with bulgur and dressing.

Tabouli Bulgur Wheat Salad

Tasty make-ahead salad with hearty whole grains, fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing.
Prepare:
45 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Banana Berry Smoothie
Creamy pink banana-raspberry smoothie is shown in a serving glass.

Banana Berry Smoothie

An on-the-go breakfast or snack recipe made with creamy banana, sweet berries and refreshing orange juice!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Microwave Fresh Vegetables
Glass containers with potatoes, carrots, broccoli and green beans.

Microwave Fresh Vegetables

Steam-cooking fresh vegetables in the microwave is an easy way to make a healthy side dish for lunch or dinner in just minutes. The short cooking time preserves nutrients, color and flavor.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
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.