Can I freeze homemade applesauce?

15 years ago

Someone gave me a mess of apples and I'm trying to find something to do with them. I make applesauce all the time, but I've never frozen it. Would this work? I'd also like to make an apple pie and freeze it, but when I did that at Thanksgiving it was very watery when it thawed. Any pie help or for that matter, any good apple recipes would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Tracey

Comments (11)

tami_ohio
15 years ago
My grandmother made the best applesauce and always froze it! I can almost taste it! I never did learn how she did it, but her's was the best I ever ate.

I can't help with the pie questiion.

Tami
cooksnsews
15 years ago
Yes, applesauce has to be the easiest way to process an abundance, and freezing it is easy. I like to use the thawed sauce in baking, like muffins and other quick breads.
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DL, To remove the peel after cooking, you use a food mill or sieve, yes? If you like it not too smooth, I'd suggest peeling and coring the apples first. (And chop roughly, or even finely in food processor.) That way you can cook it as much or as little as you like to get a good consistency with some "body" left in it. Stop cooking when it's just a little LESS smooth than you want it, since it'll cook a bit more when you process. I'm one of those who recommends a mix of apple types for best flavour (and for an interesting texture, as some will soften more and sooner). Of the kinds you mentioned, Granny Smith and Jonagold are pretty sturdy. Macintoshes a bit less so but hold up OK. Their flavour makes a very nice sauce, IMHO. Delicious will definitely soften quickly. If it comes out more tart than you like it from the varieties you choose (e.g. including some Granny Smiths), you can just add a little sweetener (sugar, or honey). Life is too short not to have applesauce the way you like it! Good luck! Z
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karen_b
15 years ago
Tami my MIL used to make the best frozen applesauce too and her secret was butter...below is a web site that may help on your other questions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Apples
dixiedog_2007
15 years ago
I make appleauce every year with fall apples and freeze in ziplock bags and have no problem at all.
girlsingardens
15 years ago
I am another one that freezes applesauce.I do it for the baby to come and have for the other kids when they were babies. If you find that it is too watery you might want to cook it down longer and make it a little thicker, just a thought.

Stacie
girlsingardens
annie1992
15 years ago
I don't freeze applesauce, nor do I freeze pies, but I do slice the apples and seasonings, then just add the flour to toss the slices in when I make pie.

I do know that Carol (Readinglady) freezes her pies premade for later baking, she could probably help with that issue.

Annie
tami_ohio
15 years ago
Karen_b, thank you. I think she just used jonothon and mcintosh apples from her orchard with the skins on to make it pink. I don't remember if it had sugar in it or not. Mom used to help her and make some for us too. The biggest problem is that it's not Grandma making it anymore!!! Mine came out really close when I made it years ago, but grandma's always tastes better, no matter what the recipe, or who the grandma is!!!!

Tami
donnar57
15 years ago
My MIL freezes applesauce ALL the time.

DonnaR/CA
readinglady
15 years ago
I've never frozen applesauce but only because if I can it, I can use the freezer space for other things like fresh garden sweet corn.

I have frozen apple pies, though it's been a while. (I freeze lots of pies, just don't make apple pies very often.) I think the thickener makes a big difference. I didn't have good luck with flour. It broke down and the filling was watery. I think if I were doing it again, I'd lightly pre-cook the apple filling and use tapioca or a tapioca-flour or tapioca-cornstarch combination. I use ClearJel, but not everyone has that on hand.

I do freeze uncooked pies all the time. It actually seems to tenderize the crust and increase flakiness. Line the plate with pastry, put in the filling (cooled if pre-cooked) and cover with the remaining pastry dough. Don't cut vents. Freeze on the shelf unwrapped. Then, once the pie is frozen solid, wrap well. I double-wrap, first layer aluminum foil (which can be re-used many times) then secondly a bag.

When ready to bake unwrap the pie, cut vents and place on the lowest or second-lowest shelf of the oven still frozen. I usually bake 20 minutes or so at about 375 then lower the temperature to 325 for an additional 40+ minutes. How much time depends on the density of the filling. Basically I watch for thickened juices to begin bubbling through the vents.

I haven't had any problems with soggy bottom crusts.

Carol
Tracey_OH
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the help everyone! I've got the applesauce in the freezer. I have a friend having a baby next week and she loves my applesauce (which does use butter Karen!) so I wanted to take her some when I make her dinner. It's from apples from someone's tree which seemed to have thicker skins than grocery store apples so the applesauce seemed to be nice and thick.

As for the pies, I make a crumb topped apple pie which has an oatmeal based crust. I prebaked it and just let it thaw on the counter and it was very watery. I'm wondering if I just used the wrong type of apple?
minsue67
15 years ago
Tracey, I freeze my applesauce every year but stopped doing my pies that way cuz #1 a whole pie takes up a lot of room in the deep freeze when you do a couple doz. a year and #2 I had the same watery stuff that you did. A friend of mine told me to make up just the filling and freeze that and add it to your fresh crust when your ready to bake it. It's just as handy to have on hand and I usually have rolled up pie crust in the house if I need a dessert in a hurry. I already have 10 bags of filling going on this year.

Mindy

Can I freeze homemade applesauce?

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tami_ohio

cooksnsews

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Can I freeze homemade applesauce?

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