Ever since I discovered I can make applesauce in my Instant Pot, I’ve been going at it! I’ve tried a few variations: cinnamon applesauce, blueberry applesauce, and cranberry applesauce.
Once you’ve found out how easy it is to make applesauce in the Instant Pot and how fresh it is, you’ll probably stop picking up the jars of applesauce at the grocery store.
In case you don’t like cranberries in your applesauce, leave them out and double your apples instead. Just as good, but you’ll have to rename it …
I’ve tried this recipe with and without ginger and could really tell the difference. The cranberry applesauce just didn’t have that “bite” to it. Same thing when I used ginger powder instead of fresh ginger. Couldn’t taste it all.
I use the 7 in 1 Instant Pot that I bought from Amazon. (Disclosure: if you click the link, you’ll be taken to Amazon, and if you make a purchase I’ll receive a small commission for the referral.)
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can make the spicy cranberry applesauce in your crockpot and cook on high for four hours. You may have to increase the amount of water to half a cup. You can also cook in a pot on your stove on medium heat for about 15 to 25 minutes. Again, you might have to increase your water to half a cup.
I’ve made this recipe by peeling my apples and by leaving the skin on. I’m all about making things easy, and I like the extra bit of bulk, so I usually don’t peel the apples. Your preference might be for peeled apples, so go with the way you like them.
The spicy cranberry applesauce takes a few minutes to pressurize in the Instant Pot and then cooks for five minutes. I let it release naturally. Sometimes I just leave it on the low setting after it’s cooked for an hour or so until I’m ready to deal with it.
