Jam Session

Lauren Marie’s Gluten Free

Homemade Apple Spread

Cinnamon...Ginger...Nutmeg.  They are the smells and tastes of the fall and winter seasons.  Of course, you can't forget the supporting cast members of cloves, allspice, and even peppercorns, but for me, the   C-G-N combination is what carries me straight into the holiday zone.  I tell you what, that warm, spicy, sweet thing just can't be beat.




Plus, those smells and tastes are just down right homey.  And if you pour that flavor combination into a mason jar, that's as homey as homey gets!

I know making your own jam and jelly may seem overwhelming and unnecessary.  There are plenty of good jams and jellies out there at the grocery stores... most of them gluten free too.  But it's just not the same.  And once you see how easy it can be and how much more fantastic it tastes, you'll be looking forward to making jam from each season's peak produce....strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apples.

This time of year, it's all about apples. They are beautiful, crisp, and sweet. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love to make apple pies, apple crumbles, and apple tarts, but this year, I wanted to make an apple spread that tasted like fall and winter: the C-G-N combination.




As a kid, I had tasted my share of strawberry and grape jellies.  As a bride, I learned of my husband's love for blackberry jelly and eagerly shared in it.  And now, I live 45 minutes away from a town known as the "Winter Strawberry Capital." It didn't take me long before I started my yearly strawberry jam making tradition.


But I must admit apple preserves or apple butter had never been in my comfort zone.  I was up for the challenge.

I started recipe testing.  My two goals were to use that         C-G-N combo to get a bold apple flavor and to make it easy. Mission accomplished with my Homemade Apple Spread! I love to serve it on gluten free crackers or bread.  My husband loves it in the morning with his hot coffee.  And this past Saturday I served it with my Pumpkin Cornbread at a morning tailgate before a football game.  It was a huge hit!

And with that C-G-N combination, my Homemade Apple Spread is truly fall and winter in a jar!