Ingredients

12 Fuji Apples (about 5 pounds)
1/2 cup water
1 long or 2 short cinnamon sticks (total of 6 inches)
1/2 cup sugar (if desired)

Directions

1) Peel apples then remove the core.
2) Combine apples, water and cinnamon in a large saucepan.

3) Cover and simmer until very tender, about 10 minutes. If not very tender after 10 minutes, cook for a few more minutes.

4) Remove cinnamon.
5) Mash apples.
6) Taste. If you think it needs sugar, stir in about a 1/2 cup sugar. Taste again and add more if desired. I don’t like too much sugar in my applesauce, I like more of the natural taste but 1/2 cup seems to hit the spot for me.

Make ahead tip: When making this for Thanksgiving, I would make this as early as Sunday and store in a vacuum sealed bag.