I almost didn’t post this because the color is so unpleasant. I thought this would be a pretty pink color, but no. Four hours later, I got this funky color. Bla.
When we went to pick strawberries, one of the places was selling already-picked apples with tiny bruises on them for .50EUR/kg (.28USD/lb). Well okay. If someone wants to basically give away apples, I’ll take some. Or 20 pounds.
Although this was really tasty, I don’t like how small the yield is. I really thought that with I’d end up with loads of apple sauce that I could eat daily for months. But that wasn’t so. I think this recipe should be something you use when you have way too many apples and strawberries and you don’t know what to do with them. I was imaging something like the strawberry apple sauce from the store, but this didn’t taste very berry-like to me. But it was still great. :)
It turned out to be really sweet and sugar definitely isn’t needed. I did use super sweet strawberries, but I can’t imagine needing to add sugar. I just added the apple juice because I had some sitting in the fridge that I wanted to get rid of. I can’t imagine it’d make such a huge difference, but as I’m not sure, I’m leaving it in the recipe.
Sugar-free Strawberry Apple Sauce
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: 10 cups of strawberry apple sauce
Ingredients
- 4.5 kilos (9.8 lbs) apples, about 20 cups / 20 apples, cored and not peeled*
- 1 kilo (2.2 lbs) really sweet strawberries (about 5 cups smooshed strawberries)
- ⅓ cup (80ml) no sugar added apple juice
Directions
- Combine everything in your largest pot and cook, covered, over medium heat for 3 - 4 hours (it'll depend on how thick you want it). During the last hour, I took off the lid in hopes of getting it a little thicker. And it was thick! Or if you have a gigantic crock pot, cook on high in your crock pot for 4 hours. I really doubt all of this could fit in a crock pot, though. You could easily halve it.
- After it cooled down a little, use an immersion blender or a food mill to get it really smooth.
Notes
- You need the peel. It adds pectin and it'll totally break down during the cooking process. I never eat the peel but you really can't tell it's here.
- I froze whatever I didn't eat after one week in the fridge.
20 comments on "Sugar-free Strawberry Apple Sauce" — Add one!
Heidi – Aww, thank you. If you mix in fewer strawberries, it won't have such an ugly color! Good luck. :)
Aw, it doesn't matter that this didn't turn out to be the prettiest color because I know it must taste amazing! I love making my own applesauce, but I have never mixed in strawberries. How is that possible?! Gotta try it! :D
Pencil Kitchen – Maybe in an apple sauce or spice cake but I wouldn't want some strawberry apple sauce flavored chocolate brownies. But yeah, I'll try using some of the frozen stuff the next time I make spice cake! Thanks for the idea. :)
Apple sauce! And no sugar! Wouldn't this be perfect for a substitution of butter too?
Clair – Aww, thank you. That was nice of you to say. :)
You made it look so pretty despite the color! Looks really delicious to me though, and I love that there is no added sugar.
Jessica – What's weird is that it turned out really sweet. I don't understand why the apple sauce companies have to add sugar!
This is great! I love strawberry apple sauce and I like how this doesn't have added sugar!
Amy – Aww, thank you. Childhood triggers are always nice. I'm happy this post did someone some good. :)
i actually love the color! i must've eaten homemade berry-applesauce growing up, because the color totally triggered a childhood memory for me. i think it looks fab + i love that it's sugar-free!
sensualappeal – Thanks!
Kathryn – Me too! But I hate how long it takes and the small yield. Oh well. I suppose you can't have everything all the time. :)
Love that this doesn't have sugar!
Ohh lovely recipe. I'm a sucker for good applesauce!
Honey – Sorry I missed your comment! You submitted just before me. :) And thanks! You should try it. Even the stuff from the grocery store is yummy!
Marta – Haha, well the boring strawberry sauce is still coming! I wrote two posts last night. :) And yay strawberries! Karl's (they have those stands) went from 4.50/kg to 5.00/2kg overnight. At least in Mitte!
Cassie – Thank you! Me too. Which is why I was bummed I didn't have loads of the stuff!
Chung-Ah – Haha. I think they already sell strawberry apple sauce but the question is, does it have sugar? I bet it does! :)
Miryam – When did you live in England?! I didn't know that. And it would be great to just have apple trees everywhere, wouldn't it? And does apple pie use so many apples? I haven't made it in such a long time. That sounds like a yummy idea. Now I want pie!
wow, never ever made or ate strawberry applesauce, looks insanely good.
I totally get what you are saying about obtaining so little sauce after using so many apples and strawberries :-) I used to do tons of apple pies when I used to live in England because there where apple trees every where, and used to get tons of apples, not any more :-)
Anyhow, I like how this has not sugar added and the fact that it is mixed in with the strawberries. Great recipe!!
I'm totally loving the combination of fruits here! You should totally sell your recipe to Motts :)
This is a great recipe, Erin! I love apple sauce!
And you wrote that you made a boring strawberry sauce. Girl, it's with apples, so it seems like I'll have another jar full of a strawberry-apple sauce in my fridge. Go strawberries!