Caramelized Apple Sauce

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

6 Pippin or Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons apple cider or fruit-flavored liqueur

Directions:

Heat butter in large pan or skillet over medium heat. Add apples, sugar, and cinnamon and raise heat. Sauté and stir mixture until apples begin to caramelize, about 10-15 minutes.

Reduce heat under pan to medium and add 1/2 cup water. Simmer mixture, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let mixture cool for 15 minutes.

Turn mixture into a food processor or blender and puree to desired consistency. (Alternatively, mixture can be mashed with a potato masher in the pan, which will produce a chunkier consistency.) Taste for seasoning.

When completely cool, spoon into clean jars and refrigerate for up to 1 week. (Let the recipient know that the sauce should be stored in the refrigerator.)

Makes 1 1/2 cups.