Quick and Easy Applesauce in the Instant Pot®

Ingredients

• 1 lemon
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 (1/4 inch thick) slice fresh ginger
• 1 star anise pod
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 piece cheesecloth
• 3 pounds apples - peeled, cored, and quartered
• ½ cup water
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar, or more to taste

Ingredient Image

Directions

Peel two thick strips of lemon zest, being careful to leave out the bitter white part. Tie the lemon peel together with the cinnamon stick, ginger, star anise, and cloves in a small piece of cheesecloth—this makes it easy to fish out later. Put the apples in your Instant Pot or any similar pressure cooker, then add the spice bundle, water, and a pinch of salt. Seal the lid and set it to cook on high pressure for 5 minutes; remember it’ll take about 10 to 15 minutes to come to pressure. Once the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally for about 15 to 20 minutes—this helps prevent any hot splatters. When it’s safe to open, carefully remove the spice bundle and discard it. Stir in the brown sugar until it’s fully dissolved, then give it a taste and add a little more sugar if you like it sweeter.