If you’re an applesauce lover like me, here’s a very easy paleo recipe for chunky apple and pear sauce that tastes so much better than store-bought – without all the processing and preservatives.
There’s something wonderful about the unfussy deliciousness of home-cooked fruit – a real, honest, earthy goodness you just can’t get off a store shelf. The aroma from this one as it simmers on your stovetop is absolutely amazing.
But of course the best part is the taste! This apple-pear sauce is mostly sweet with a little tartness, spiced just right with cinnamon and brightened with a splash of lemon.
You’ll find a spoonful or two right from the jar will satisfy your sweet tooth. I love a warmed-up scoop alongside just about any pork and chicken entrée. And of course this sauce makes a rich fruity topping served warm over paleo waffles or paleo ice cream. The kids will love this one too as a healthy after-school snack.
What’s nice about this paleo apple-pear sauce recipe is you can easily adjust the sweetness to suit your taste. [av_sidebar widget_area=’Lockerdome’ av_uid=’av-2ioyh5′]
I happened to have Honey Crisp apples in my fruit bin which are mostly sweet, and the Bartlett pears I found at the grocery were nice and ripe. So for this batch, I didn’t need to add honey – but you may want to depending on the tartness of your fruit.
Before you decide to add a sweetner, I’d suggest letting the fruit cook down, add the spices, then give it a taste. If it’s too tart, add a tablespoon or two of raw honey. Or if you want to get creative, use pure maple syrup instead of honey!
If you prefer a smoother sauce more like traditional applesauce, you can always use an immersion blender after the fruit has cooked down, or pour the mixture into a traditional blender or food processor to purée.
Hope you give this really easy paleo recipe a try. I know you’ll love having a jar of this apple-pear sauce handy in your fridge to add to your paleo meals, or as a sweet spoonful of guilt-free pleasure whenever you have the urge. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 3 apples (any variety) – peeled, cored and diced small
- 3 Bartlett pears – peeled, cored and diced small
- 1 tbs fresh lemon juice
- 3 tbs water
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/4 tsp all spice
- 1-2 tbs raw honey* (optional - see "Notes" below)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine apples, pears, lemon juice, water, and the cinnamon stick
- Bring mixture to boil over medium-high heat
- Stir mixture, cover and reduce heat to medium-low
- Cook about 20 minutes until fruit is tender, stirring occasionally
- Next add the ground cinnamon and the all spice. Taste and add 1-2 tbs of honey for additional sweetness if desired
- Remove cinnamon stick and use a potato masher if you want the sauce a little smoother. For a creamy sauce use an immersion blender or run it through your regular blender or food processor
- Allow to cool, spoon into jars, and store in refrigerator
Notes
*Bartlett pears are typically very sweet, so you may not need to add honey - taste your sauce while cooking and sweeten if necessary to taste
Don't have pears? You can substitute 3 more apples for the pears and make apple sauce instead!
Keep refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks