Few things are more annoying for a home cook than having to stop and run to the grocery store mid-recipe for more ingredients. Lets say you have a new recipe that calls for 10 cups of sliced apples. To avoid a mid-prep shopping trip, how many apples do you need to buy? Its difficult to say because every apple is a little different from the next. Here is a list of equivalents that might help you when you are standing in the produce section at your favorite market.
For reference, one medium apple will give you about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of applesauce. To prevent the apples from sticking to the saucepan as they cook, add enough unsweetened apple juice, cider, or water to cover the bottom of the saucpean.
The Difference Between Large and Medium Apples
Allow a lot of leeway with these equivalents. They can only be approximate because not every apple is the same size. Typically, apples are classified by their diameter as follows:
- Small apples are approximately 2 1/4 inches in diameter.
- Medium apples are approximately 2 3/4 inches in diameter.
- Large apples are approximately 3 3/4 inches in diameter.
To keep things interesting, when apples are sliced thinly, more slices fit in a measuring cup than when they are sliced into thick chunks. Some apples are tart and some are sweet. Some are relatively hard and some are almost mealy. These types of challenges are why cooking is often referred to as an art. If your recipe calls for a specific type of apple—Granny Smith, for example—buy that apple type. If it isnt available, buy a similar hard or crisp apple to substitute for the Granny Smith apples. If you dont know which apples are similar to the type called for in your recipe, ask the produce manager for help.
Equivalents and Measures
- 1 pound apples = 2 large apples
- 1 pound apples = 3 or 4 medium apples
- 1 pound apples = 3 cups cored, sliced or chopped apples
- 1 pound apples = 1 1/3 cups applesauce
- 1 medium apple = 1 cup cored, sliced apples
- 1 medium apple = 3/4 cup cored, chopped apples
- 1 medium apple = 1/2 cup mashed apples
- 4 pounds fresh apples = 4 cups applesauce
- 4 pounds fresh apples = 1 pound dried apples
- 2 pounds fresh apples = filling for one 9-inch pie
- 1 pound dried apples = 4 1/3 cups
- 1 pound dried apples = 8 cups cooked apples
- A bushel of apples is the dry equivalent of 2 gallons of produce.
According to this equivalent list, 10 cups of sliced apples requires 10 medium apples. To be on the safe side, buy one additional apple. You dont want to run short—after all, its always better to have too many ingredients than too few!
How to Use Unsweetened Applesauce in Baking
FAQ
How much applesauce equals one medium apple?
Is eating applesauce equivalent to eating an apple?
How do I substitute apples for applesauce?
How many cups is a medium apple?
How much applesauce is in a medium sized apple?
It depends on the size of the apple and how much applesauce is being used. Generally, one medium-sized apple is equivalent to about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of applesauce. It is important to check the label and ingredient list of the applesauce to ensure it does not have added sugars or preservatives.
Is unsweetened applesauce healthy?
Yes. Unsweetened applesauce is healthy and provides vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Here is a very simple homemade recipe: 4 apples + juice of 1 small lemon + cinnamon to taste + 1 glass of water. After cleaning the apples, let them cook in a glass of water over medium heat, add the juice of one lemon and cinnamon to taste, cover and let it cook for 20 minutes, then just blend everything in the blender and you’re done.
How much applesauce is a cup?
However, the general rule of thumb is that one cup of applesauce is roughly equivalent to one medium-sized apple. While applesauce may be a convenient substitute for fresh apples in some recipes, it is worth noting that it lacks the same texture and crunch as a fresh apple.
What is the difference between apples and applesauce?
However, there are some key differences between apples and applesauce when it comes to health benefits. While applesauce still contains many of the same nutrients as a whole apple, it may also contain added sugars or other ingredients that can decrease its overall nutritional value.