I know I just made applesauce, but I couldn’t resist.
The applesauce I made a few weeks ago was simple and delicious. But it was also a bit… boring. I stumbled upon this recipe in Traverse magazine and have since dubbed it dessert applesauce.
I was reeled in with the idea of ice cream on top, though I knew that it would be too rich to eat as a side dish with a meal. It reminded me of an apple crisp without the crisp – but even better. Hence the “dessert.”
The recipe specifically warned against using honeycrisp apples, so I used galas. They seemed to work great!
After topping the applesauce with a scoop of french vanilla ice cream, I sprinkled some candied ginger on it too. As you can see, the ice cream got all melty since the applesauce was still warm. I love the combo of the warm apples and cold ice cream together.
I’m amazed that I could even get the applesauce into a bowl and add the ice cream since I couldn’t stop eating it straight from the pot.
Dessert Applesauce
from Traverse magazine
serves 3-4
4 gala apples, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (I added this in)
pinch of ground cloves
pinch of ground ginger
pinch of nutmeg
vanilla ice cream for serving
Add chopped apples to a pot and just cover with water. Add sugar, syrup, lemon zest, vanilla and spices and bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered until apples are mushy, about 45-60 minutes. Add more water if needed. Turn off heat and mash apples. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
Before last week I have never made homemade applesauce, nor had I even tasted it. Now I don’t think I’m ever going to stop making it. Or eating it.
I’m Jessica and this is where I share my stuff. You will find a balance of healthy recipes, comfort food and indulgent desserts.
I love it…applesauce a la mode! I am making applesauce tonight! YUM! Can’t beat homemade!
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mmmm…
enough said
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I know, apple season is my favorite! Apples taste like candy now and they are just perfect for eating and cooking! I love making homemade chunky applesauce! Goes great in oats too! It looks delicious!
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mmm just the thought of apples with maple syrup sounds good. Add ice cream…amazing. This is my kind of dessert. I’ve never tried candied ginger- I am intrigued
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That looks like a perfectly balanced breakfast, right? Yum-o!
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What a fabulous way to dress up applesauce. I’m loving the pictures!
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Well if that isn’t the perfect cold weather dessert, I don’t know what is.
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yeah…so the combo of applesauce and ice cream is my waistband’s worst nightmare…just sayin’ ;)
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what a great idea! plus, it’s fruit for dessert so it’s healthy;-)
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Traverse magazine? I want a copy! This looks great!
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I have not had homemade applesauce in forever! This looks awesome!
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Ohhhh myyyy goshhhhh ah this looks so GOOD!! Perfect for a cozy snack or dessert…yet another one to add to the recipe bookmarks :)
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Whoa that looks incredible. I mean the applesauce looks fabulous with all that cinnamon and brown sugary goodness…but the ice cream?! Totally just put us over the edge. YUM.
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I love how chunky you left the apples — just the way applesauce should be!
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Ohhh, man…that looks so amazing. The applesauce in its own looks fab, but with ice cream…perfection!!
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Is it bad that I want this for breakfast like right now, ice cream and all? It looks amazing!
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This breaks my heart. I was supposed to go apple picking yesterday, but last minute house emergency put that to a hault. I envision the apple-picking Lindsay in her kitchen creating this tonight :sad:
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I have 2 large bags of Gala apples from our backyard tree. Thanks so much for this recipe, Jessica! I love the maple syrup in it, and the spices look just right.
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OMG-you are killing me, Jessica! I want to make every single recipe you post…there are just not enough hours in a day! :-)
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Love. I will be making this over and over again, I am sure!
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This is my kind of dessert!
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HOLY WOW!!! This looks amazing!!
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mmmm that looks so good! Im making an apple dessert too! I’ll post it soon ;)
-Amalia
http://buttersweetmelody.wordpress.com
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the combo of apples and ice cream is my favorite !
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ohh, I thought those were red potatoes. Doh!
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When my daughter was little we went apple picking every fall – made tons of applesauce in my day!
Lately though, no matter what the recipe, my go to apple is now Fuji – they never let me down and hold their consistency. My hubs has declared my apple pie the best he’s ever had!
Happy Monday!
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Jessica — October 4th, 2010 @ 9:10 am
I will have to try it with Fuji!
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This dish looks like it could possibly be the ONLY way I’d eat apples again. Seriously, I do not like apples very much, but hidden beneath ice cream and candied ginger could change my perspective.
I think I’m the opposite of you. I LOVE veggies, but don’t really like fruit (only a handful). HAHA!
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I need this. Immediately.
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You’re the queen of applesauce. Makes your house smell awesome I bet!
on blackberry rest of the day, miss you! Fill me in on life if there’s any news :)
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Yummm! Those pics look so profesh, too! :)
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Oh my gosh. You read my mind. I was craving spiced apples or apple crisp or something…this looks amazing. And I have a fridge full of galas!
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Since it’s ‘applesauce’ it is totally healthy and acceptable to eat the whole recipe worth right out of the pot, right?
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My oh my….this does look grand. Love the crystal ginger on top. Wonder why no Honey Crisps though–too acidic, wrong texture?? xo
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This looks incredible! I think I still have a few apples lying around…guess I know what I’ll be making when I get home! :-)
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Fabulous! Sometimes I top warmed homemade applesauce with vanilla yogurt. That way it’s more of an energizing snack than dessert mid morning.
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Jessica — October 4th, 2010 @ 11:51 am
That is an awesome idea!
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I wonder why they advised against honeycrisp? Maybe because they don’t think you should turn apples that are $3.99 a pound into sauce? ;)
This looks so good. I think its actually a good healthy alternative to apple crisp. I mean sort of…because no crumble = a good excuse for 2 times the amount of ice cream.
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I love anything apples! Apple crisp, apple pie, candy apple…YUM YUM YUM. I have a delicious “chunky crock pot applesauce” recipe that I just love. I could barely contain myself. LOL.
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This is making my tummy rumble! Vanilla ice cream + apples = goodness. Apple-lovin’ must be in the air this week – I just posted delightful apple cupcakes on my site today!
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Jessica — October 4th, 2010 @ 12:48 pm
They look amazing – especially the frosting!
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bahhh why do you do this to me!! amazingggg…when are you coming to boston?!!?!?
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Awesome!
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Yum. I’m generally so not an applesauce person but this looks fantastic and I love cooking with gala apples, so reliable. You know what would make this even better? A little candied bacon. Just saying. ;-)
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Oh. My. I am making that TODAY.
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oh my! I bet THAT would make an excellent substitute for oil in baked goods (although I don’t know that it would make it much healthier!). :-)
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the way I see it? you have something from both he fruit/ veg category & a dairy.
VERY well-balanced ;)
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holy deliciousness..the third picture made me drool. That dessert applesauce looks heavenly. I’m determined to whip some up and pair it with Edy’s seasonal apple pie ice cream :)
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Holy crap!! I think I need to go get some ice cream. Have everything else to make the applesauce but how could I NOT put ice cream on top??
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Love love love that that can be called applesauce :) Looks so good!
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Ice cream and warm homemade applesauce… heavenly!! :)
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Looks delish…though I have to admit..the crispy topping is always my fav. part!
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Oh my GOODNESSSSSSSSSS! That looks sooo good! I just may borrow this recipe to have for a treat this week. :) YUM!!
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