If you're craving a refreshing dish of applesauce, you don't have to settle for a bland version from a jar. Our guide on how to make applesauce, shows you a basic applesauce recipe, along with several tasty variations.

Applesauce isn't just for babies anymore. Use the tangy dish, created with cooked apples and sugar, as a dessert or a sweet topping for cakes, ice cream or savory dishes like roasted pork loin. Once you try making your own, you'll realize how easy it is to create the versatile side dish.

• Gather the following ingredients and kitchen tools to create about four servings of tangy applesauce.

• Apples
• Water
• Sugar
• Lemon Juice
• Apple Juice (optional)
• Cinnamon (optional

• Knife or apple peeler and corer

• Saucepan

• Stove

• Spoon

• Wooden spoon, food mill, sieve or potato masher

• Once you've got the ingredients at hand, creating a batch of applesauce will only about 45 minutes, include prep time.

1. Prepare the apples by peeling, coring and cutting them into quartersFood Network: Applesauce Recipe
   • -Consider using red-skinned apples like Gala or Braeburn.Martha Stewart: AppleSauce
   • -You can also try a mixture of different types, like McIntosh, Golden Delicious and Gala.Food Network: Apple Sauce Recipe
2. Place the apples, water, sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan on the stove.Martha Stewart: AppleSauce
   • -Use apple juice or apple cider in place of the water to make extra sweet applesauce.Chow: Applesauce
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.Food Network: Applesauce Recipe
4. Simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to break the apples up.Food Network: Applesauce Recipe
5. Once the apples are tender, press the mixture through a food mill or sieve for a smooth consistency.Food Network: Apple Sauce Recipe
   • -You can also use a potato masher to mash the applesauce to the desired consistency.All Recipes: Sarah's Applesauce
   • -For a chunkier sauce, just stir it vigorously with a wooden spoon.Chow: Applesauce
6. Season the applesauce with cinnamon or additional sugar, if desired.Food Network: Apple Sauce Recipe
7. Serve the applesauce warm or cold.Recipezaar: Applesauce
8. Store the applesauce in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to three days.Martha Stewart: AppleSauce
   • YouTube Video: Apple Sauce Recipe (Time: 0:56)

• Give the applesauce additional flavor, texture and color with one of these simple and tasty variations.

1. Sweeten the applesauce with honey, maple syrup or brown sugar, if desired.Food Network: Applesauce Recipe
2. Consider roasting the apples in the oven with butter before mashing into applesauce for additional flavor.Martha Stewart: Roasted Applesauce
3. Adding ground cloves give the applesauce a little extra spice.All Recipes: Applesauce
4. Include cranberries and walnuts to create a seasonal applesauce.Recipezaar: Cranberry Applesauce
5. Use unpeeled red apples to give the applesauce a pretty red hue.Recipezaar: Rosy Applesauce
6. Boil the apples with lemon rind and cinnamon sticks to infuse them with more flavor.Simply Recipes: Applesauce (October 7, 2008)
7. Add cinnamon candies to the mix for extra crunch.Recipezaar: Applesauce
8. Increase the spiciness with a piece of fresh ginger root.Recipezaar: Applesauce