Five Spice Applesauce + Yogurt Parfaits

Homemade applesauce is a memory synonymous in my mind with crisp Fall days and the start of the school year. I can remember riding the bus home from school in my new dress, walking home from the bus stop, itching to take my scratchy tights off, my Winnie The Pooh backpack thumping against my back as I raced the neighbor kids home. I opened the front door, past the pumpkins and family scarecrow named Newman sitting on the porch, simultaneously kicking off my patent black dress shoes and letting my backpack slide down to the floor. Standing in the entry way, I was immediately met with the smell of warm applesauce and cinnamon wafting down the hallway. I walked into the kitchen and was greeted by my mom who was stirring a big pot on the stove. Not many things are as comforting to me as a bowl of warm, homemade applesauce. The texture and flavor is far superior to that of store-bought. I don't know where I picked up this habit, and I feel like it's weird but I like to add a splash of milk to the warm applesauce. I like the contrast of the creamy dairy flavor against the sharp, slightly acidic applesauce. It rounds it out in the most delicious way. So applesauce and yogurt parfaits are like the grown-up, sophisticated version of that. And so tasty!

My parents have a few little apple trees in their back yard so each Fall I take a big basket home. The first thing I whip up is a batch of homemade applesauce. It's the easiest thing to make, it just takes some time and a little patience. Put on a good movie, peel and chop away, then just let it cook down on the stove low and slow until the apples have been transformed into a delicious, spoonable delight. When I make homemade applesauce, I normally like to keep it simple and sweeten just with a little honey at the end, only if it needs it. The apples from my parent's trees this year were particularly sweet so I left it unsweetened but feel free to add some honey or maple syrup if you'd prefer. Instead of the normal sprinkling of cinnamon I usually sprinkle in, I reached for some five spice seasoning which is still warm and cozy but is a little unexpected and totally delicious. Five spice is a delicious blend of cinnamon, clove, star anise, fennel, and black pepper and compliments the apples really well. It's worth it to make a big batch as well since it freezes beautifully.

makes about 4 quarts of applesauce and 4 parfaits

applesauce
4 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
3 t five spice powder (or a blend of cinnamon, clove, star anise, fennel, and black pepper)

parfaits
1 c applesauce, divided
4 c plain whole milk yogurt, divided
granola of choice (here's my favorite, or my apple ginger granola would be delish too!)

make the applesauce
Add the apples to a large heavy-bottomed pot and cook on low with the lid on, stirring periodically until apples are completely broken down and mostly smooth, about 2 hours or so. I like my applesauce with some texture so a few small pieces of apple are ok for me but if you prefer a more smooth consistency, you can puree it in a blender. Once applesauce reaches desired consistency, remove from heat and stir in the five spice. Allow to cool then store in airtight container in fridge until ready to use. It also freezes beautifully.

make the parfaits
In a glass or jar, pour about 1/2 cup of yogurt followed by a 1/4 cup of applesauce. Top with another 1/2 cup of yogurt and sprinkle with granola.