Scents of Fall Simmer Pot Recipe
A fall simmer pot is my favourite way to fill our home with all-natural scents of the season. Get my fall stovetop potpourri ideas featuring apples, cinnamon and herbs.
Want your home to smell like fall? Not only are homemade simmering spices quick and easy, they’re generally much healthier than store-bought room fresheners too.
What is a Simmer Pot?
A simmer pot or stovetop potpourri is made with a mixture of fresh and/or dried ingredients covered with water. It’s placed on a low temperature burner (or uncovered slow cooker), where the moisture evaporates to release a scent into the air.
I like that it’s free from toxic chemicals and adds a bit of moisture to the air since our climate tends to be on the drier side throughout fall and winter.
To make your own fall scent, put together any combination of organic produce, spices and/or herbs you’re drawn to.
Fall Simmer Pot Ingredient Ideas
- orange peels
- lemon peels
- apples and crabapples
- figs
- cranberries
- cloves
- cinnamon sticks
- nutmeg
- star anise
- rosemary
- thyme
- vanilla
It’s fun to play around with mixtures to create an aroma the whole family enjoys.
Fall Simmer Pot Recipe
For this recipe, I used crabapples from our tree and fresh rosemary from our herb garden. I like to forage or use leftover peels whenever possible to cut back on costs and waste. It’s usually the stuff that would end up in the compost bin anyway. Why not put it to use?
Don’t worry if your apples are blemished (like mine) or your herbs are past their prime. For simmering, it doesn’t matter. Stems are okay too!
Cinnamon sticks are one of my go-to additions since they make our house smell like I’m baking pumpkin spice muffins or apple pie. Hello autumn! Perhaps it’s a bit cruel when my family discovers I’m not. Oops! Sometimes you just don’t have time, right?
Putting together this fall stove top potpourri only takes a minute or two and is so worth it (see recipe card below). Hope you enjoy creating your own cozy autumn simmer pot.
Pin this fall simmer pot recipe for later!
Fall Simmer Pot Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups crabapples
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- water
Instructions
- Place whole crabapples, rosemary and cinnamon sticks in a medium-sized pot.
- Cover with water.
- Simmer on stove at low setting. Be sure to top with water as needed.
Notes
- Larger apples can be used. Simply cut in half before adding to the pot.
- Water can be topped up several times. Set a timer so you don’t forget about it and check often. Be safe!
- As an option, use a small slow cooker set on low. Be sure to set a timer and follow guidelines for minimum liquid recommended for your model.
What are your favourite scents of the fall season? Have any other crabapple recipe ideas?
Have you fallen for fall? Check out these decorating ideas using nature from some of my friends!
xo,
It does not seem like Fall at all here in Florida with temperatures still in the 90’s. I really need to get together on Fall decor and I think a pot of this simmering on the stovetop might be just the answer to my Fall doldrums. Thanks so much for sharing at Celebrate Your Story!