Baked Apple Bliss

Baked apples are, unofficially, one of my favorite foods of all time. Unofficially, of course, because the "favorite foods of all time" list that I keep running in my head is generally swayed by what is in season and/or in my kitchen and/or what I'm craving. Currently, my favorite foods of all time list is: Mexican (always at the top), baked apples, peanut butter buttercream, and anything pumpkin. Numbers 2 & 4 are seasonally influenced, and 1 & 3 are pretty much always at the top ... usually competing for the illustrious position of #1 favorite food of all time.

Clearly, the taxonomy needs some work because "favorite food of ALL TIME" should probably be more permanent. But I digress.

This week, baked apples top the list because 1) I just visited my Grandmother the Canning Queen, whose baked apples are divine, and 2) it's apple season and I made some myself this week!

As with most of my recipes, this one is loosely based on this from The Neelys of Food Network fame.

Baked Apples

8 Granny Smith Apples, thinly sliced (I like to leave the peel on for texture)

8 Jonathan Apples (tart-and-tasty! but you can use any apples you want, really, to vary sweetness/tartness level)

2 cups spiced apple cider

5-6 whole cloves

lots of cinnamon

juice from 2 lemons

1/2 cup brown sugar

- Slice the apples (aren't they so pretty and fall-ish?)

- Boil the apple slices and all of the other ingredients until mushy. And that's it!

Your house will smell amazing. Your tastebuds will love you. There isn't really a better way to celebrate fall than this! Simple, fast, delicious. Enjoy!