Peel, core, and slice your apples. You can use an apple peeler to make this step quicker, especially if you’re working with a large batch. A variety of apples like some sweet like Golden Delicious and tart like Granny Smith gives the best flavor.

Place the peeled apples into a large pot with ½ cup of water or apple juice and the lemon juice. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar or maple syrup, and ground cinnamon for flavor. Adjust the amounts depending on how sweet you like your sauce.

Bring the mixture to medium-high heat, then reduce to medium heat and let it simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.

Once the apples are soft and cooked through it is done. You can leave as is, or you can mash them with a potato masher for a chunky applesauce. Use a food processor or immersion blender for a smoother texture.

Let the applesauce cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week or can be frozen in freezer bags for later use.