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Red Hot Applesauce

Source of Recipe

"Retro Recipes from the '50s and '60s" by Addie Gundry


Recipe Introduction

"When I was growing up, our next-door neighbors gave out jars of their homemade, retro-inspired red hot applesauce every year around Christmas-time. It always looked so festive with its bright red coloring complementing the green ribbon around the jar. Those cinnamon red hots were first introduced in the 1930s, and once people realized they could be incorporated into gelatins and applesauce, they were an even bigger hit."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ 5 pounds cooking apples, peeled, cored, and cut into eighths
â—¦ 1 ½ cups apple cider
â—¦ ½ to ¾ cup sugar
â—¦ 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
â—¦ 3 tablespoons candy red hots
â—¦ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt


Recipe

In a 6-quart stockpot, combine the apples, cider, sugar, vanilla, candy red hots, and salt. Stir.

Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil, about 18 minutes. Reduce the heat to the lowest simmer and cook, uncovered, for 45 to 60 minutes, until the apples are soft.

Use a wire potato masher to mash the apples to the consistency you like: less for slightly chunky applesauce and more for smooth. Or use an immersion blender to make a smooth sauce. Pour into bowls and serve.

Makes 5 cups