My oldest daughter just turned 18. One of her favorite cakes is spiced cake.

Last night, before bed, Ry (4yo) tells me he doesn’t think he likes spicy cake. I told him it’s not spicy cake, but spice cake… he waved his hand in front of his face and asked me “is it spicy though?”

How to explain the flavors of spice cake to a 4 year old. hmm.. And while my explanation didn’t really clear things up for him, it did reassure him it wasn’t spicy hot.

I told him it was fall and winter spices.. the kind you put in spiced cider, or a dash in chocolate milk (in his case, coffee), certain cookies and french toast (yum! a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg mm good).

I can’t wait to make some spiced cider - I make a pitcher and keep in the fridge and warm up when I want some. Apple crisp… I’ve already started making it. Last time, I made more crisp than I had apples!

Maybe I’ll stop at the store tomorrow for some granny smiths and a jug of cider.

I love the fall.

Fall is all about pumpkins, piles of leaves, hay rides and hot spiced apple cider… oh yummmmy!

This is tasty apple cider recipe and making it in the coffee pot is about as easy as it gets!

2 quarts apple cider
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp whole allspice
1 tsp whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1/4 tsp salt
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 large orange (cut into quarters leaving peel on)

Place all ingredients, except the cider, into a coffee filter.
Put the coffee filter into the basket.
Add the apple cider to “brew”.
Top with a dollop of whipped cream and add a cinnamon stick for a stirrer.
Serve hot.
Enjoy!

Really, how simple is that?

Originally uploaded by madaise.

Flavor of fall. Perfect timing, as the apples are ripe and ready to eat. Apple crisp, warm from the oven, with a dollop of homemade whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The baked apples are yummmy, but the big hit is the sweet, toasted oatmeal topping. Everyone loves the topping!

Ingredients:

Topping:
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. oats (I use quick oats, but rolled oats may be used instead)
butter

Filling:
4-6 Granny Smith Apples (or other crisp, tart apples)
1/4 c. brown sugar

Directions:

- Peel, core and slice apples into thin pieces.
- In a bowl, add cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar to sliced apples and mix well.
- Set aside.
- Mix flour, granulated sugar, and oats together.
- Add 3 tablespoons butter.
- Mash well with fork creating clumps and crumbs.
- Grease bottom of cooking pan. I use a 9″ round cake pan.
- Pour apple mixture into pan.
- Top with crumb mixture.

Bake in oven at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes or until apples are tender. Crumb top will turn golden brown.