Bourbon is a great ingredient for autumn — it pairs well with seasonal ingredients like pumpkins and apples. It is great to sip on cool evenings; its warm caramel notes are a perfect counter to the first crispness of fall. This version of applesauce is more like a rich dessert than a breakfast side or snack. The apples are sautéed to develop their flavor. The bourbon and ginger add complexity. The maple syrup balances the flavors.

Grown-Up Applesauce

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cups fuji apples, peeled, cored & sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• Juice of 1/4 of a medium-sized lemon
• 1/4 cup cream
• 1 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions:

1. Heat butter in a medium-sized sauce pan over medium-high heat.
2. Peel, core and slice the apples and add to the pan when the butter is melted.
3. Stir and cook until the apples are soft, about 8 minutes.
4. Add ginger and salt. Stir and cook 2 minutes longer.
5. Add vanilla, bourbon and lemon juice. Stir and cook 5 minutes longer.
6. Add cream and maple syrup. Cook for 5 minutes longer, or until most of the liquid has cooked off.
7. Enjoy!