Step 1
Peel two thick strips of lemon, taking care to avoid the white pith since it can be bitter. Tie the lemon peel together with the cinnamon stick, ginger, star anise, and cloves in a piece of cheesecloth—this makes it easy to fish out later. Put the apples into your Instant Pot or any multi-functional pressure cooker, then add the spice bundle, water, and a pinch of salt. Secure the lid and set the cooker to high pressure for 5 minutes. It might take about 10 to 15 minutes for the pressure to build up. Once the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 15 to 20 minutes—this keeps the applesauce from sputtering out. Carefully remove the cheesecloth bundle and toss it. Stir in the brown sugar until it’s fully dissolved, then give it a taste and add more sugar if you like it sweeter.
