Gemutlichkeit is my absolute favorite word in the world.

This feeling captures the holidays beautifully! Ezra Jack Keats wrote the most gemutlich book…Snowy Day about a small boy named Peter who experiences the joy of a snowy day.

We just returned from a trip in the mountains. Let me paint a picture…Christmas morning it was snowing outside, there was a fire in the fireplace, my children drank hot chocolate, I had a panettone bread pudding in the oven, and was wearing socks that an Austrian Oma made for me. Do you feel it? Very gemutlich!

This German word is used to express a state of warmth and coziness. Also peace of mind and good cheer. You can’t beat this feeling.

Here’s another gemulichen example from this morning… It was cold outside, the Christmas tree lights were twinkling, my children were laughing together, I was drinking a hot chai latte and finishing a good book, baked apples were in the oven. Very gemutlich!

This is so simple and so good…so gemutlich!

• 2 cups apple cider
• 4 firm cooking apples, I like Gala
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• optional…dried cherries, raisins & nuts

1. Heat the oven to 375° F.
2. Pour the cider into a small skillet and bring it to a boil. Continue to boil over medium heat until the liquid reduces by slightly less than half.
3. Use a melon baller to dig out the apple core, leaving about 1/3-inch of the apple intact at the bottom. Place the apples in apple bakers, pie pan or baking dish.
4. Stir the cinnamon, butter and brown sugar into the cider syrup. Pour it into the apple cavities, allowing it to overflow into the baking dish. Bake the apples for 45 minutes, until they are perfectly soft but not caving in.
5. Serve the apples with warm extra syrup spooned over them. If you want to, drizzle them with some heavy cream, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream (if having for dessert).

Ich wunsche Euch einen schonen und gemutlichen January.

P.S. Cozy Winter Cocktails & Vail: Like Nothing on Earth