Aunt Judi's Red Hot Apples

the story behind it

Aunt Judi’s Red Hot Apples

Some recipes are made for holidays. This one was the holiday.

These were a staple at every family gathering—and I mean every one. If there was a holiday, Aunt Judi was walking through the door with a warm dish of these bright red cinnamon apples. It didn’t matter if it was Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or just a reason to gather; you could count on them being there.

I’ve been known to eat an entire bowl by myself… more than once. They’re warm, comforting, and taste like everything good about being home. They fill the house with the smell of cinnamon and holidays, and they’re the most beautiful shade of red—one that somehow warms your heart before you ever take the first bite. Maybe that’s because they were made by someone whose heart was just as beautiful.

The funny thing is, they were always the same. It didn’t matter how many times Aunt Judi’s stove was on the fritz, how hectic the holiday became, or how many people were coming over. Somehow, those apples turned out perfectly every single time. She made it look effortless.

After Aunt Judi passed away, I realized recipes like this are so much more than a list of ingredients. They’re traditions. They’re memories. They’re the smell that instantly takes you back to childhood. They’re the dish everyone hopes shows up on the table because it wouldn’t quite feel like a holiday without it.

Now, every time I make these apples, I think about her. I think about our family crowded around the table, the laughter echoing through the house, and how food has a funny way of keeping the people we love close to us.

This recipe tastes like every holiday I’ve ever loved.

…Okay, now I’m crying. Toodles. XOXO. Love you. Bye. ❤️