Did you know that you can freeze applesauce and apple pie filling? I didn't! My mother-in-law was in town and we decided to make applesauce and apple pie filling with apples I picked from an apple orchard. I wasn't in the mood to go through all the work of canning when it would only make about 10 jars of applesauce and pie filling. That's when I found out that you can freeze applesauce and apple pie filling. I was a little unsure about it, but after tasting my frozen applesauce, I'm a big fan. Frozen applesauce that has been defrosted in the refrigerator taste the same as if it had never been frozen.
Ingredients:
24 cups thinly sliced apples
4 tablespoons lemon juice ( used some lemon juice mixed with sprite to keep em white!)
5 cups sugar (I used 2 cups brown and 3 cups white)
1 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 cups water
Directions:
1. Peel apples and cut into thin slices. Place apples in a bowl with lemon juice and set aside.
2. Pour water into a large cooking pot, over medium heat. Combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Add to water. Stir well. Bring mixture to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Stir constantly.
3. Add apples and return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until apples are tender. This took about 30 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes.
4. Scoop 4 1/2 cups into freezer ziploc bags. Cool at room temperature.
5. Place in freezer. Apple Pie Filling can be frozen for up to a year.
I can't wait to taste my first homemade apple pie on Thanksgiving day. What are your favorite things to make with apples?