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Red Hot Applesauce

This red hot applesauce is bright red and packed full of cinnamon flavor! It's such a quick and easy fall recipe to make. The recipe works great with any apple! Who knew applesauce could be so pretty and tasty? Want more red hot apple recipes? Check out this recipe for Red Hot Crock Pot Apple Crisp.

Side shot of red hot applesauce in a large white bowl

Red Hot Applesauce

I love cinnamon! Big red gum, fireballs, red hots, I love them all. My mouth.. well, my tongue hates cinnamon. It will become sore, feel super swollen and stiff. It's okay though. I power through it. I'm a go-getter. I can just be very stubborn.

My 7-year-old also loves cinnamon but, lucky for him,  he doesn't get an annoying irritation from the cinnamon candy.  This applesauce is gorgeous. It's fire red like the candies. It's sweet and loaded up with red hot candies. Lucian and I can take down an entire jar of this in one sitting. He normally sports red stains on his face and tummy afterward. Yes, the applesauce is that vibrant in color.

overhead photo of red hot applesauce, candies, and apples

I also think that this applesauce would taste outstanding in a cake. You know how cakes sometimes call for applesauce instead of oil, this applesauce would be phenomenal. Keep an eye out for an applesauce cake recipe in the future! It just may be happening.

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quart jar of red hot applesauce with white fabric, apple, and red hots

How do you make red hot apple?

It's really probably one of the easiest recipes you'll make. Begin from peeling, coring, and slicing some apples. Toss them in a large saucepan. Add in the sugar, red hot candies (or cinnamon imperials), and apple juice. Sounds simple so far right?

Stir everything together the pot. Let it simmer on low heat until the apples start to break down and the red hot candies are melted.

simmered red hot applesauce in a large saucepan

This is what you can expect it to look like. Let the red hot applesauce cool for about 30 minutes. That gives the sliced apples time to absorb some of the juices.

Pour the apples into a food processor or food mill and pulse until the red hot applesauce is smooth.

red hot applesauce being pulsed in a food processor

Lastly, you'll want to pour it into a bowl and place it in the fridge to chill. I don't know about you, but hot applesauce just doesn't do it for me.

How to can red hot applesauce

  • Sterilize your lids, rims, and jars.
  • Prepare red hot applesauce according to the recipe.
  • Fill your jars with the red hot applesauce leaving ยฝ'' of headspace. Use a sterilized butterknife to run on the inside of the jar to remove any air bubbles.
  • Wipe the jar rims clean.
  • Process in your hot water bath canner for 20 minutes (for altitudes less than 1,000 ft). Adjust cooking time for your altitude, if necessary. For more information, visit this site
  • Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.

This red hot applesauce is super smooth. If you prefer it a little chunkier, feel free not to process it in the food processor for as long as I did. A few pulses in the food processor would do the trick. We just prefer ours really smooth.

red hot applesauce in a glass bowl with a white fabric, candies, and apple

More dessert recipes using red hot candies

angled shot of glass of red hot applesauce showing the top of the applesauce, candies, apple, and spoon

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this red hot applesauce recipe be made in the crockpot? Yes! Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. If you want a smooth applesauce, run it through the food processor or food mill.

Can I reduce the amount of red hot candies in this applesauce? Yes! Feel free to play with the amount of candies that you add into this red hot applesauce.

What's the best apple to use for this red hot applesauce recipe? I think this recipe is pretty flexible. If you want some tartness, use a granny smith apple.

If you have some apples that are getting old and slightly wrinkly, this is the perfect recipe to use them in. The cinnamon lovers in your family will thank you!

overhead photo of red hot applesauce, candies, and apples

Red Hot Applesauce

This red hot applesauce is bright red and packed full of cinnamon flavor!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 1 quart jar
Calories 1324 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 5 Apples cored, peeled, & sliced
  • ยฝ cup apple juice
  • 6 oz Red Hots Cinnamon Candies
  • ยผ cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  • Place all of the ingredients into a large saucepan. Stir to get the sugar mixed in. Turn the heat onto medium and place a lid on the saucepan.
  • Let it boil until the apples become very soft and the candies are completely melted, about 25 minutes.
  • Once the apples are very soft and the candies are melted, remove from the heat and let cool for about 30 minutes.
  • Place the apple mixture into a food processor and process on high until the applesauce is super smooth. If you prefer a chunkier applesauce, only pulse the mixture a few times to the desired consistency.
  • Place in a quart jar and refrigerate until chilled.

Notes

I've used Honeycrisp apples and Gala.
You can substitute the apple juice for water.

Nutrition

Calories: 1324kcalCarbohydrates: 349gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSodium: 14mgPotassium: 1098mgFiber: 21gSugar: 296gVitamin A: 490IUVitamin C: 43mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 1.1mg

(Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.)

This recipe was originally posted on November 14, 2014.

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10 Comments

  1. This Red Hot Applesauce recipe sounds absolutely delicious! I love the combination of spices and the hint of sweetness. Can't wait to try it out with my next dessert! Thanks for sharing!

  2. This Red Hot Applesauce sounds absolutely delicious! I love the idea of incorporating that spicy sweetness into my fall recipes. Canโ€™t wait to try it as a topping for oatmeal or pancakes. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Hi Becky! This recipe could be canned in mason jars using a water bath canning method. Follow the canning times for a regular applesauce and your jars should seal well! Enjoy.

  3. We use a food mill to mix and remove seeds/peels from apples after they are boiled. It is a tradition and leaves a chunkier apple sauce. So good!

  4. My mother and my grandmother both made applesauce with red hots and I have followed in their footsteps. I just mash lightly with a wooden spoon so my product is much chunkier, which is what I want in an applesauce.

  5. Oh my goodness - I couldn't imagine what it would be like to have a reaction to cinnamon! It's my favourite. Your apple-sauce is perfect for Christmas with it's brilliant crimson!

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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