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Hot Buttered Apple Sauce With Cinnamon And Nutmeg

Hot buttered apple sauce with cinnamon and nutmeg made on the stove until the apples turn completely soft and mashable. Brown butter adds a warm, toasty flavor, and you can choose chunky or ultra-smooth with an immersion blender.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 240
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

8 large apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or McIntosh)
  • 8 apples peeled, cored, and chopped
Butter mixture
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter plus additional brown butter for serving
  • 0.25 cup apple cider or apple juice
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup
Spice and finishing
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • 0.25 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.25 tsp salt

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Brown the butter and start the apples
  1. Melt the unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until it is just starting to brown, then add the chopped apples immediately for even coating.
  2. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are glossy and slightly softened.
Simmer until soft
  1. Add apple cider or apple juice, brown sugar or maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, then stir to combine.
  2. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the apples are completely soft, with gentle bubbling under the lid.
Mash, blend, and serve
  1. Mash the apples to your desired texture—chunky or smooth—using a masher while they are hot.
  2. For smooth applesauce, blend with an immersion blender until silky, without any visible apple pieces.
  3. Stir in the vanilla extract, then taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
  4. Serve warm with an extra pat of brown butter and a dusting of cinnamon on top.

Notes

For best flavor, let the brown butter get just past the first golden look before adding apples—don’t push it into dark brown or it can turn bitter. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days; reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Freezing works well for up to 2 months—thaw overnight in the fridge and stir to loosen. If you want a dairy-reduced option, use a plant-based butter stick in place of unsalted butter.