Applesauce Pies: How to Make 5 Variations With Simple Ingredients

There’s something undeniably comforting about the sweet, spiced aroma of applesauce pies wafting through your kitchen. These delightful treats offer all the warm, nostalgic flavors of traditional apple pie but with a fraction of the effort – no peeling, slicing, or pre-cooking required! Applesauce pies have been a secret weapon of busy home bakers for generations, dating back to early American settlers who needed practical ways to preserve and enjoy apples year-round.

What makes applesauce pies truly special is their incredible versatility and forgiving nature. Whether you’re a novice baker intimidated by pie crust or a seasoned pro looking for a quick dessert solution, these pies deliver impressive results without demanding perfect technique. The smooth, velvety filling can be customized countless ways with simple pantry ingredients, making it perfect for last-minute gatherings or weeknight family treats.

Unlike our popular Dutch Apple Crumb Cake which requires fresh apples and more extensive preparation, these applesauce pies come together in just 15 minutes of hands-on time. The filling is practically foolproof, and you can use store-bought crusts without any guilt – though I’ll share my quick homemade option too!

So grab that jar of applesauce hiding in your pantry and prepare to transform it into five delectable desserts that will have everyone asking for your secret recipe. Trust me, these humble pies are about to become your new go-to dessert!

What is Applesauce Pies?

Ever wondered how something so simple as applesauce in a pie crust could taste so heavenly? Applesauce pies are exactly what they sound like – delicious pies made with applesauce as the star ingredient instead of fresh apple slices. But don’t let that simplicity fool you! These clever desserts originated during times when fresh apples weren’t available year-round, but families still craved that apple pie comfort. Grandmothers everywhere knew that the way to everyone’s heart was through a warm slice of applesauce pie – especially when fresh apples were scarce but cravings were abundant! The name might sound straightforward, but the flavor is anything but basic. Ready to discover how this humble pantry ingredient can transform into five spectacular desserts that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen? Your family will never guess how easy these were to make!

Why You’ll Love These Applesauce Pies:

These applesauce pies are about to become your new favorite dessert for three compelling reasons. First, they deliver all the warm, comforting flavors of traditional apple pie with an incredibly smooth, velvety texture that melts in your mouth. The applesauce creates a perfectly consistent filling every time – no more worries about undercooked apple pieces or filling that’s too runny. The silky consistency carries warm spices beautifully, creating an experience that’s both familiar and uniquely delightful.

Second, these pies are remarkably economical. A jar of applesauce costs significantly less than the 6-8 fresh apples needed for a traditional pie, especially during off-seasons when apple prices soar. Plus, applesauce has a much longer shelf life, allowing you to stock up when it’s on sale. Combined with basic pantry ingredients like cinnamon, sugar, and flour, you can create an impressive dessert for a fraction of bakery prices.

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Finally, the variations we’ll explore offer endless creativity with minimal extra ingredients. From the caramel drizzle that adds rich, buttery notes to the streusel-topped version with its perfect textural contrast, each variation brings something special to the table. The maple-walnut option introduces delightful crunch and nutty complexity, while the spiced chai infuses exotic warmth throughout. For chocolate lovers, the chocolate-swirl variation creates an apple-chocolate combination that’s surprisingly perfect.

Like our popular apple butter bars, these applesauce pies transform a simple fruit preserve into something extraordinary – but with even less effort! Ready to impress your family with minimal work? Let’s start baking these delicious applesauce pies today!

How to Make Applesauce Pies:

Quick Overview

These applesauce pies are the definition of “easy yet impressive” – with their smooth, perfectly spiced filling and flaky crust, no one will guess how simple they were to make. Unlike traditional apple pies that require peeling, slicing, and pre-cooking, these pies use applesauce as a convenient shortcut while maintaining that classic apple pie flavor. The base recipe takes just 10 minutes to prepare, and each variation adds only 2-3 minutes more. From start to finish, you’ll have a delicious homemade dessert ready in about 45 minutes, most of which is hands-off baking time.

Key Ingredients for Applesauce Pies:

For the Basic Applesauce Pie:

• 2 cups unsweetened applesauce
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

Additional Ingredients for Variations:

• Caramel: 1/3 cup caramel sauce
• Streusel-Topped: 1/2 cup flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup oats
• Maple-Walnut: 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• Spiced Chai: 1 teaspoon chai spice blend
• Chocolate-Swirl: 1/3 cup chocolate chips, melted

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Basic Applesauce Pie:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and place the rack in the middle position.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the applesauce, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir until well mixed and the flour is completely incorporated with no lumps.
3. In a separate small bowl, lightly beat the eggs, then add the vanilla extract. Pour this mixture into the applesauce mixture and stir until everything is thoroughly combined.
4. Pour the filling into your unbaked pie crust, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure an even surface.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is set and only slightly jiggly. The crust should be golden brown. If the edges of the crust begin browning too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil or a pie shield.
6. Allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This helps the filling set properly.

For the Variations:

1. Caramel Applesauce Pie: Prepare the basic filling, then swirl 1/4 cup of caramel sauce through the filling before baking. Reserve the remaining caramel to drizzle over the top after baking and cooling.
2. Streusel-Topped Applesauce Pie: Mix flour, brown sugar, cold cubed butter, and oats until crumbly. Prepare the basic filling, pour into crust, then sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the top before baking.
3. Maple-Walnut Applesauce Pie: Reduce the sugar to 1/2 cup, and add 1/4 cup maple syrup to the filling. Fold in 1/4 cup of the chopped walnuts into the filling. Sprinkle the remaining walnuts on top before baking.
4. Spiced Chai Applesauce Pie: Add 1 teaspoon of chai spice blend to the basic filling along with the other spices. For extra flavor, steep 1 chai tea bag in 2 tablespoons of hot water for 5 minutes, cool, then add to the filling mixture.
5. Chocolate-Swirl Applesauce Pie: Prepare the basic filling. Melt 1/3 cup chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon butter. Pour the applesauce filling into the crust, then drop spoonfuls of melted chocolate on top and swirl with a knife for a marbled effect before baking.

What to Serve Applesauce Pies With:

Applesauce pies shine brightest when paired with complementary accompaniments that enhance their sweet, spiced flavors. For a classic approach, serve warm slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream – the creamy coldness creates a delightful temperature contrast against the warm pie. A dollop of freshly whipped cream sprinkled with a hint of cinnamon is another timeless option that adds lightness to each bite.

For a more indulgent experience, drizzle caramel sauce over your serving – this works especially well with the basic and streusel-topped variations. A small wedge of sharp cheddar cheese on the side offers a savory counterpoint that many apple dessert enthusiasts swear by.

For beverages, consider serving these pies with hot apple cider during fall and winter months, or a cup of cinnamon tea any time of year. For adults, a small glass of spiced rum or apple brandy makes an excellent accompaniment to the maple-walnut or spiced chai variations.

To create a complete dessert buffet for gatherings, pair your assortment of applesauce pies with other simple sweets like oatmeal cookies or vanilla pudding, offering guests variety without overwhelming your preparation time.

Top Tips for Perfecting Applesauce Pies:

Achieving applesauce pie perfection is easy with these professional tips. First, choose the right applesauce – for the best flavor, use unsweetened applesauce so you can control the sweetness level. If you only have sweetened applesauce, reduce the added sugar by 1/4 cup. Homemade applesauce works beautifully if you have it!

The texture of your filling depends on proper thickening. Never skip the flour in the recipe, as it prevents a runny filling. For a gluten-free option, substitute an equal amount of cornstarch or arrowroot powder. Make sure to thoroughly mix the thickener with the sugar before adding it to the applesauce to prevent lumps.

Don’t rush the cooling process! Allow your pie to cool completely before slicing – at least 2 hours at room temperature. This patience ensures the filling sets properly and gives you clean, beautiful slices.

For substitutions, brown sugar can replace white sugar for a deeper, more caramel-like flavor. Any neutral-flavored oil can substitute for butter in the streusel topping if needed. If you don’t have nutmeg, allspice makes an excellent alternative, or simply increase the cinnamon.

The most common mistake is underbaking. The center of the pie should be just slightly jiggly when done – if it’s too wobbly, it needs more time. Remember that the filling will continue to set as it cools.

For a decorative touch that enhances flavor, try brushing the crust edge with beaten egg and sprinkling with cinnamon sugar before baking. This creates a beautiful golden finish with a sweet crunch.

Storing and Reheating Tips:

Proper storage helps maintain the quality of your applesauce pies for continued enjoyment. After the pie has completely cooled, cover it loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. For the basic, caramel, and chocolate-swirl variations, you can store them at room temperature for up to 2 days in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

For longer storage or for the maple-walnut and streusel-topped versions (which contain butter), refrigeration is best. All variations will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure to cover them well to prevent the pie from absorbing other flavors from the refrigerator.

These pies also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. For best results, wrap the completely cooled pie in a layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil before freezing. Label with the date and type of pie for easy identification.

When reheating a refrigerated slice, warm it in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or microwave on 50% power for 30-45 seconds until just warmed through. For frozen pies, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using the same methods.

To refresh the texture of day-old pie, warm your slice in the oven and serve with a fresh topping of whipped cream or ice cream – this brings back some of the just-baked magic that makes these pies so irresistible!