What makes this easy stovetop Apple and Pear Sauce so special (aside from the mingling of apples and pears) is the splash of Grand Marnier at the finish.
The Grand Marnier is optional, so don't fret if you'd prefer not to use it. It's completely up to you!
Apples are the most versatile fruit. They can be used for both sweet and savory dishes as you'll see when you visit the following recipes: Streusel Topped Strawberry Apple Pie, Chilled Broccoli Apple Salad, Skillet Pork Tenderloin with Cinnamon Apples, Pork Meatballs with Apples and Onion, and Apple Corn Chowder.
This recipe post and its contents may include affiliate links for your consideration. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, but your prices are never increased as a result. Thank you.
Table of Contents Found Here
- The list of ingredients:
- What I wrote about this recipe in 2015:
- The step-by-step photo instructions:
- Can the alcohol be omitted from this recipe?
- Other ways to serve apple and pear sauce:
- Recipe substitution and add-in suggestions:
- Can homemade applesauce be frozen?
- Related recipes you may also enjoy:
- Printable Recipe Card
- Easy Stovetop Apple and Pear Sauce with Grand Marnier
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
The list of ingredients:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
*Special Note - I originally shared this recipe in the fall of 2015. I've since gone back into this post to add additional useful information, including a printable recipe card which it didn't have before. The photos and the recipe itself, however, have remained unchanged.
What I wrote about this recipe in 2015:
Do you feel it? Fall is in the air, and I for one could not be happier! Especially since it's apple season!
This Apple Pear Sauce with Grand Marnier is super simple to make and takes only about an hour of simmer-time on the stovetop.
While slow-cooker and pressure cooking are very popular these days, I encourage you to fully take advantage of stovetop cooking in the fall and winter too.
Your home will thank you for all the delicious aromas that stovetop simmering will provide, and it's one way to quick way to turn your house into a cozy home!
The step-by-step photo instructions:
- Peel and dice the apples and pears. Add them into a 3-quart (or larger) stockpot.
- Grate in the fresh nutmeg, add the cinnamon sticks, knob of fresh ginger root, lemon juice, salt, and water.
- Simmer, stirring occasionally, over medium heat for 30 minutes (or until the fruit is easily pierceable with a paring knife.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks and the knob of fresh ginger root.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the pure vanilla extract and the Grand Marnier.
- Mash to your desired consistency with a potato masher and cool.
- Serve warm, or refrigerate and serve cold.
Can the alcohol be omitted from this recipe?
You bet!
If you're making this for the kiddo's, or anyone else who shouldn't have alcohol, you can leave out the Grand Marnier, no problem.
I promise you that you'll still fall in love with this wonderful flavor of autumn, with no added sugar.
But, if you're over 21 and would enjoy the subtle orange flavor that the Grand Marnier provides, go for it!
You won't be sorry!
Other ways to serve apple and pear sauce:
I recommend you serve this apple and pear sauce, warm for dessert, with a nice scoop of ice cream, and with an additional drizzle of Grand Marnier over top?
Serve it with granola for a deliciously different breakfast.
Or, for something really unusual, use it to make these Old-Fashioned Apple Chews, but now they would be called Old-Fashioned Apple and Pear Chews, instead.
So, so, so, good!
Save this for later.
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Email forwarding service for saving information.
Recipe substitution and add-in suggestions:
Two teaspoons of ground ginger may be substituted for the fresh ginger root, if desired.
As a substitution for the cinnamon stick, feel free to use two teaspoons of ground cinnamon instead.
Apple juice or apple cider may be substituted for the water.
Fresh orange juice may be used in place of the grand Marnier, if needed.
Dried fruit like cherries, blueberries, cranberries, currants or raisins would be a delicious addition once the sauce has been simmered, and mashed.
Can homemade applesauce be frozen?
You bet.
You can freeze applesauce in many different ways. A zip-top freezer bag is an excellent way to store applesauce, and it can be frozen flat to take up less freezer space.
An airtight freezer container is also an awesome way to freeze a large quantity of applesauce, but if you'd like to freeze small portions for baking and other assorted snacking applications, freezing applesauce in an ice cube tray is an excellent solution.
I like to use these dissolvable content labels for adding dates and container content information to the outside of refrigerator and freezer packages.
Related recipes you may also enjoy:
When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.
Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!
Printable Recipe Card
Easy Stovetop Apple and Pear Sauce with Grand Marnier
Equipment
- citrus juicer optional
Ingredients
- 4 Gala apples peeled and cut into 1" chunks
- 3 Bartlett pears Peeled and cut into 1" chunks
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ⅛ teaspoon fresh nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- ½ cup water
- 1" piece fresh ginger root unpeeled
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier optional
Instructions
- -Place the first nine ingredients into a large pot over medium heat. Stir to combine. Cover and simmer for approximately 50-60 minutes or until the fruit is fork-tender.
- -Remove the cinnamon stick and ginger root. Discard.
- -Remove the pot from the heat, stir in the vanilla and Grand Marnier (if desired). Use a potato masher to mash the sauce to your desired consistency. Cool and chill if desired. Or serve warm and top with ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you'll enjoy today's delicious homemade no sugar added applesauce recipe with pears and grand Marnier as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Angie Barrett says
I'm actually pretty excited about fall! I love Summer but I'm ready for pumpkins and apples. love the grand marnier in this
Souffle Bombay says
Mmmm, this ain't my mamas apple sauce! This is for grown-ips! Love the flavors happening here!
Cookin' Canuck says
Homemade applesauce is one of our favorite autumn treats. Adding grand marnier is a stroke of brilliance!
Aly ~ Cooking in Stilettos says
Renee - this is just perfect for fall - love love LOVE it!!! Sweet or savory - you can use this with so many recipes (or of course on its own 🙂 )
The Food Hunter says
I can totally smell it cooking now! It sounds perfect with ice cream
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
Oh, I can definitely feel it! I love homemade applesauce, and the addition of pear and Grand Marnier is making me so hungry.
Martha @ A Family Feast says
I just added pears to my shopping list! Definitely make this sauce as soon as possible!
Carolyn says
You just took applesauce to a whole new level!