Skip to main content

Making Applesauce and Other Purées

Purées have become the foundation of my cookie and cake recipes. Roasting and breaking down fruits to incorporate into your batters is an ideal way to take your baked creations to the next level—and you’ll notice the difference immediately. This simple addition provides hearty flavor, moisture, and can be tailored to your taste with minimal fuss. The recipe that follows applies to any of the fruits (pears, peaches, even pumpkin) included in this book. Simply roast your chosen fruit (see page 27 for more information on roasting fruit) and proceed.

Ingredients

APPLESAUCE

Roasted apples (page 27)
1/4 cup agave nectar
1 cup hot water

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Spoon the roasted apples into a food processor or a blender and add the hot water and agave nectar. Blend the apples until they are smooth, about 1 minute.

    Step 2

    If you do not plan to use the purée immediately, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

From Babycakes by Erin McKenna, (C) 2009 Clarkson Potter
Read More
This rustic no-knead loaf gets subtle sweetness and perfect-PBJ potential by trading the usual water for apple juice.
Nothing beats a classic apple pie—well, maybe a bourbon caramel apple pie.
Over 50,000 recipes from the Test Kitchen, now at the touch of your fingertips.
This skillet dinner is a delightful way to use up a jug of cider.
The antithesis of a haphazardly chunked together fruit salad.
A tangy exclamation point to the holiday meal.
Cut into little squares for an appetizer, or serve wedges for a vegetarian main or standout side.
This picadillo-inspired topping would taste good on a shoe.