As soon as the crisp cool air moves in I long for the scent of apples and cinnamon filling my home. To me there is nothing cozier or warmer feeling than a home filled with rich aromatic scents (and of course a fire burning in the fireplace too!)! This recipe was created by me MANY years ago, when I was a teen, I can remember my mom baking homemade apple pie and the smell was so intoxicating I wanted to smell that apple pie scent every day! One day, out of boredom, I started goofing around with my mom’s spices and came up with this awesome and yummy scented potpourri that I like to simmer it in an electric potpourri pot all day long. Just this one pot is enough to scent your entire home with the smell of homemade apple pie -I’m telling ya’ll, there’s really nothing better! :-)
I use this recipe from early fall until mid-winter. I do have a couple of other homemade potpourri recipes I’ll share with you that are perfect for the holidays. In the spring and summer, I usually switch over to a citrusy scent that scents the air with fresh and clean aroma.
DISCLAIMER: Please do not leave this simmering potpourri unattended. Only simmer while nearby and PLEASE make sure to always turn it off if you’re going to be leaving your house – this is no different than a candle! Make sure to check the water level on a regular basis and add more as needed to keep the pot from cracking or from starting a fire. Please do not use this when small children are present. Kids this is for adults to try only!
Recipe:
1-2 apples (I like to use the apples that are getting too soft or have a few too many bruises. I also toss in any apple peels that may be collected throughout the day.)
1/4-1/3 cup cinnamon. I get a big container of it from the local Dollar Tree Store and it lasts for several weeks.
Apple Pie Spice
Water
Optional:
10 or more drops of Cinnamon, Apple, Apple Brandy, Vanillar or any other complimenting fragrance or essential oil (this is optional but REALLY gives a stronger scent. I have made this recipe for years without using the fragrance/essential oils. I’ve only recently started adding it to kick things up a notch – blame it on Emeril! *wink*)
cinnamon sticks
nutmeg
anise
oranges or orange peels, pears
sugar (by adding a 1/2 cup or so it gives a sweeter scent – I used to add sugar all the time but now prefer the more pungent spicy scent of the cinnamon and apples)
apple cider or apple juice
saucepan
an electric potpourri pot with a low setting
Directions:
I like to heat up this concoction before adding it to my electric potpourri pot because it gets the scent wafting MUCH quicker. You can just toss it all in the potpourri pot but it will take quite some time for everything to heat up enough to smell.
In a saucepan, combine all ingredients. Add enough water to fill the container. If using apple cider or apple juice you can skip the water or add equal amounts to the potpourri mixture. (The photo above does not show all of the water. The fruit should be covered – fill that pot up!) Stir and place on burner on med-low setting until the mixture is heated through. Once it’s hot, pour the contents into an electric potpourri pot and turn on to its lowest setting. Make sure to check the pot regularily for water level so the pot doesn’t crack or start a fire. This mixture can be used for several days before losing its scent or getting skunky. When it seems to resemble sludge instead of potpourri toss it and make a fresh batch. I’m telling you, your home will smell amazing!
This recipe can be made without fruit too and you will still have great results. If I have no extra fruit but want to smell up the house in a good way, I’ll just toss some cinnamon in a saucepan of water and simmer that. Sometimes I add a few drops of fragrance oil and other times I don’t.
Olive the smell of homemade apple pie, don’t you?
xKim
P.S. If you like this recipe and would be interested in others please leave a comment here. If you have a recipe/concoction that you have tried and would like to share please contact me – I’d love to feature you and your delicious scents! 
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Hey girl this is my fav too! I love it! It’s a perfect smell to bring on the fall months (although I use it all year, when I can get to the apples before McCade gives them to the cows, lol! We always have apples in the house) Also, try adding whole cloves to the mix (it’s like a Hot Toddy!) and you can also use the whole stick cinnamon. You know what I’ll be doing tommorrow don’t you, lol! And yes, OLIVE the smell of homemade apple pie! LOL!!! TFS
((Hugs)) Theresa
Oh my gosh that sounds yummy! The only problem is my kids will be looking for the cookies or muffins to eat!! I’ll have to do that though.