Double Duty Winter Treat

 Stewed Apples Recipe

Not ready to let go of holiday cheer yet?

These stewed apples with refresh the joy in your home - through your mouth AND your nose!

No need for festive candles when you're stewing apples on the stove. Try starting a batch of these just before guests arrive- they won't believe how good your home smells! 

 Holiday-scented home freshener 

Ingredients:

• 2 firm cooking variety apples (like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp maple syrup (depending on sweetness of the apples)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup water, plus more as needed 
  
  
• Accessorize with toasted walnuts or almonds, coconut flakes, crystalized ginger, raisins or Craisins or chopped dates, or even chocolate chips!

Steps:

1. Core and slice apples into 1/4 thick slices. There's no need to peel them.
   
   
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add spices
   
   
3. Add sliced apples, syrup, salt, and water; stir and turn down to low heat
   
   
4. Allow apples to simmer until softened but still tender, about 20 to 30 minutes depending on apples, adding more water 2 tbsp at a time to prevent burning, sticking, or drying out
   
   
5. If using as a topping, you may want to continue to cook until the apples break down slightly, resulting in a compote, about 1 hour (this will prolong the good smells too!)
   
   
6. Remove from heat and top with nuts, coconut, crystalized ginger, dried fruit, or chocolate chips if desired

Serving ideas:

• Pancake topping
• Ice cream fixing
• Yogurt addition
• Toast topper
• On a fork as a dessert

Tip: try this same recipe with pears!