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Hot Buttered Apple Sauce With Cinnamon and Nutmeg

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A few years ago in my recipe group on Facebook I posted a picture of myself eating a bowl of hot apple sauce with lots of butter.

The comment went something like this, “If you aren’t eating your apple sauce hot with butter and cinnamon then you aren’t living!”

I was pretty shocked at the responses I got…

Bowls of hot buttered apple sauce with text overlay.

So many people were missing out on this amazingly easy delicacy. They had simply never heard of eating apple sauce with butter.

I think I blew some minds that day!

I hope trying this easy preparation has the same effect on you!

A bowl of hot buttery apple sauce and an apple.

My Obsession With Hot Buttered Apple Sauce Grew From the Love I Have for My Little One.

When she was just starting to explore finger foods I would dice apples in small cubes and cook them slowly in butter with a touch of cinnamon. This made the perfect soft and easy-to-gum first food for her little hands.

Bowls of hot buttered apple sauce on a tray with ingredients.

Simple Ingredients Carefully Prepared

It’s pretty incredible that something as simple as apples stewed in water can taste like a bite of hot apple pie with the addition of real pastured butter and a few spices.

I choose cinnamon and nutmeg, they are so comforting and warming, to top my bowls. But feel free to play around with flavors like clove, cardamom, allspice, or five-spice.

Bowls of hot buttery apple sauce.

The process for making this delicious and healthy treat is so simple.

Cook the apples low and slow.

Top a bowl of the hot apple sauce with plenty of butter and spices.

Enjoy what tastes like a bowl of hot apple pie!

Bowls of hot buttered apple sauce with text overlay.

Hot Buttered Apple Sauce

Hot Buttered Apple Sauce

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

A warm and comforting four-ingredient dish that tastes like a bowl of hot apple pie!

Ingredients

For Topping

Instructions

  1. Peel and cut the apples into chunks.
  2. Put them in a large pot with a tight-fitting lid and add the water.
  3. Bring them to a slow simmer over medium heat. Turn the heat down to low and cover the pot.
  4. Cook the apples covered, low and slow, for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  5. Once the majority of the water has evaporated the apples should be darkening into a caramel-like color. Stir more often now and keep cooking until the sauce is thick and completely tender. Break up any large chunks with the back of your spoon.
  6. Serve the sauce hot in small bowls topped with a large dollop of butter and ground spices.

Notes

Leftover apple sauce can be refrigerated for later eating either cold or reheated!

Try This Hot Buttered Apple Sauce Over Real Sourdough Waffles or Inside Sourdough Crepes for a Special Brunch Treat!

A collage of hot buttery apple sauce in bowls with text overlay.

Cathy McNeil

Friday 3rd of March 2023

How can I make can apple sauce taste better?

Butter For All

Sunday 5th of March 2023

Maybe add some spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, or cardamom and allspice, even ground ginger... Add a small splash of vanilla extract and serve it with butter or heavy cream!

Sharon

Thursday 27th of October 2022

This is pretty much how I make a crockpot full of applesauce. I peel and dice my apples and put in the crockpot, I toss in a layer of raisins and sprinkle with cinnamon. Then start the next layer and repeat raisins and cinnamon. When crockpot is full I add about 1-1/2 cups of water. Cook on high for about 5 hours. At about 4 hours I use a potato masher to mash up the apples. I like it a little chunky. The best applesauce in the world. Never need to add a bunch of sugar, it’s just not necessary.

Butter For All

Thursday 27th of October 2022

That sounds so great, Sharon!

Thanks for the ideas and directions!

Traci

Wednesday 5th of October 2022

I’ve always had mine hot with cream and cinnamon. Next time I make homemade applesauce I’ll try it this way. If you haven’t tried yours with heavy cream and cinnamon, you are missing out!

Butter For All

Wednesday 5th of October 2022

Hi Traci!

Oh yes, we used to have cream and butter on baked apples when I was young. So so so amazing. I'll definitely use cream next time I make some.

Have a great day,

Courtney

Ellyn

Saturday 29th of August 2020

My aunt always made warm applesauce with butter. I always loved it as a child and have never been able to capture that same flavor. Maybe today.

Butter For All

Saturday 29th of August 2020

Hi Ellyn!

I hope so! It is such a timeless, simple, and satisfying treat. let me know how you like it!

Courtney

Chantal

Wednesday 29th of April 2020

I made this tonight and it is delightful with the butter and spices, just as you said. Thank you! My kids had to go to bed while it was cooking, but they're excited to eat it warmed up with breakfast, which will be your potato pancake recipe! (Excited to try that one too!)

Butter For All

Wednesday 29th of April 2020

I'm so happy to hear it, Chantal! Hope you love them!

Courtney

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