Fall Smells in the Kitchen

To me September is synonymous with apples.

When I lived in Michigan, September signalled the opening of the local cider mills.  We were lucky enough to have one in the little town where I lived.  I have fond memories of that sweet and delicious apple cider accompanied by a freshly made doughnut covered in cinnamon sugar.  Yum!

I no longer have a cider mill nearby and I couldn't find any at the grocery store yesterday, but I have decided that this apple juice is almost as good.

I had recently seen a recipe for apple butter that sounded sooo good.  The recipe called for a mixture of apples.  I chose Granny Smiths, Braeburns and Johnagold.  After a bit of peeling those apples were ready to begin the process of becoming apple butter.

I wish you could smell the heavenly scent that was wafting through the air in my kitchen this afternoon.  Sweet apples mingling with cinnamon and cloves ~ the smell of fall.  Well, I can't share the smells with you, but I can share the recipe.  If you would like to try it you can find it by clicking here.

What would apple butter be without a good piece of bread to go with it?  As my apple butter was simmering away, the bread machine was working hard on a loaf of Harvest Bread.  Recipe is here if you are interested.  It smelled  (and tasted) quite heavenly too.  You know I could never recommend recipes without tasting them first ;).