This cozy fall casserole recipe will make your entire home smell like fall with the warm and inviting scents of autumn.
It’s time to fill your cozy little space with delicious fall scents!
A DIY simmer filled with a combination of fruits, herbs and cones is a simple and natural way to create a warm autumn atmosphere.
Instead of reaching for fall-scented candles that often contain petroleum-based ingredients, try a healthier, more budget-friendly option. This simple autumn cooking pot is a waste-free alternative that brings the cozy scent of autumn into your home and you can customize it to your preferences.
You can use fresh herbs and seasonal fruits to create that inviting scent, or opt for dried ingredients, which can be beautifully packaged into DIY potpourri for when you need an autumn scent. They are also a nice gift idea for DIY herbal gift.
I got this idea from my sister a long time ago during one of my visits. It took me back to my grandmother’s kitchen when I entered her house. She was making pear butter with spices in a bubbling copper pot filled with pears and spices. This inspired me and I realized how easy it is to create a home scent that reminds me of autumn.
Since then, I’ve made it a tradition to make my fall stew every year when the season starts.
Why Make an Autumn Cooking Pot?
- Create a cozy atmosphere: An autumn cauldron fills your home with warm, inviting scents that evoke the essence of the season, making it perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere.
- Natural scent: Unlike many commercial candles and air fresheners, simmering jars use natural ingredients
- Zero-waste and cheap: Making a simmer is an easy and budget-friendly way to infuse your home with delicious aromas, using leftover fruits, herbs and spices you already have on hand
What is an autumn cauldron?
It’s an easy way to let your home enjoy the warm, comforting scents of the fall season. It involves simmering a mixture of aromatic ingredients, such as herbs, citrus peels and seasonal fruits, in water on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.
It is also called stovetop potpourri. You can use a traditional store-bought cooking pot, a crockpot, or simply place it on the stove over low heat.
An autumn simmer creates a natural and cozy aroma that captures the essence of autumn.
Simmer Pot Ingredients that Make Fall Scents
You can use both dried and fresh ingredients for your autumn cookout; they will work in the same way to create a cozy atmosphere. Here’s a list of great ingredients to consider:
Spices
- Cinnamon sticks – A warm, sweet-spicy aroma synonymous with autumn.
- Ginger – Adds a spicy kick that enhances the cozy feeling.
- Nutmeg – Contributes to a slightly sweet and earthy scent.
- Allspice – Provides a warm, aromatic flavor reminiscent of pastry.
- Whole Cloves – Provides a rich, warm scent reminiscent of holiday baking.
These herbs are commonly found in pumpkin pie spice mixtures!
Fruits
- Pumpkin – Adds a sweet, earthy aroma.
- Apples – Contributes to a fresh, fruity scent.
- Pears – Provides a sweet and juicy scent.
Other ingredients
- Rose hips shine red in the autumn season and form a beautifully colorful whole.
- Pine cones – Provides a woodsy aroma that enhances the autumn atmosphere.
- Fresh rosemary sprig – Rosemary is my favorite herb for hair growth; however, the spicy note goes well with sweet scents.
- Bay leaves – while I like to make tea from them, they also add a subtle, earthy aroma that works great in this simmer pot.
Liquid
You can use water or if you want to add some extra flavor and depth, consider using apple cider instead of water.
Cozy autumn stew recipe
This simple and cozy fall casserole recipe will leave your home smelling of the comforting scent of fall.
You can use your cooking pot for up to 2-3 days by simply adding water. It has enough scent.
First step: Prepare the ingredients
Cut the apples and pears into slices, and the pumpkin into cubes if using fresh. Don’t bother peeling them; the peels give a wonderful scent to your cooking pot.
Second step: Assemble the pot
Combine all fresh and dried ingredients in a large saucepan or slow cooker. Pour in the water or apple cider until the jar is about two-thirds full.
If you have a crockpot, the process becomes even easier. However, a potpourri pot on the stove works just as well. I just used my favorite jar for tagine.
For a Crockpot: Fill the pot with water until it is about two-thirds full. Place all your ingredients, including the chopped apples, pears, pumpkin and ginger, into your crockpot. Sprinkle the herbs evenly over the ingredients.
For a Stovetop Potpourri Pot: Follow the same steps as above, but use a potpourri pot or stovetop skillet instead of a crockpot. You should check regularly and add more water if necessary.
Third step: set the temperature
Turn the heat Turn the heat to low to bring the water to a boil. Keep an eye on it and add more water as needed, usually every 30 minutes.
- Cooking pot: Place your crockpot on low heat. As the ingredients heat up, a wonderful aroma begins to fill your home.
- Hob: Place your potpourri pot on the stove and turn the burner to the lowest heat setting to keep it simmering. You can also use a simmering plate to maintain the desired low temperature.
Fourth step: Enjoy it
As your simmering potpourri heats up, the inviting scents of fall will fill your home. The blend of fruits and herbs produces a captivating aroma that will make your home cozy and inviting. Let it simmer all day for a captivating scent throughout the house!
Simmering potpourri variations
I have chosen herbs that are closely related to it fallbut don’t hesitate to customize your pot by adding spices you love, like cardamom pods or star anise, to make it completely yours!
Here are a few variations to keep in mind:
- Vanilla extract or vanilla pods: Add a dash of vanilla extract for a warm, comforting sweetness that enhances the other aromas.
- Orange peels: Add fresh or dried orange peels for a bright, citrusy note that complements autumn spices beautifully.
- Instead of water, you can add a few dashes of apple cider vinegar.
- While I used cranberries in the Christmas crock pot, you can still use them in the fall.
Feel free to mix and match these ingredients to create a simmer that perfectly captures your fall vibe!
Preparation time
10 minutes
Extra time
4 hours
Total time
4 hours 10 minutes
Difficulty
Simple
Materials
Spices
Fruits
Other ingredients
-
Rosehips
-
Pine cones
-
Fresh rosemary sprig
Instructions
- Cut the apples and pears into slices, and the pumpkin into cubes if using fresh. Don’t bother peeling them; the peels give a wonderful scent to your cooking pot.
- Combine all fresh and dried ingredients in a large saucepan or slow cooker. Pour in the water or apple cider until the jar is about two-thirds full. If you have a crockpot, the process becomes even easier. However, a potpourri pot on the stove works just as well. I just used my favorite jar for tagine.
- Cooking pot: Place your crockpot on low heat. As the ingredients heat up, a wonderful aroma begins to fill your home.
- Hob: Place your potpourri pot on the stove and turn the burner to the lowest heat setting to keep it simmering. You can also use a simmering plate to maintain the desired low temperature.
- Turn up the heat on the stove to bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Keep an eye on it and add more water as needed, usually every 30 minutes.
- As your simmering potpourri heats up, the inviting scents of fall will fill your home. The blend of fruits and herbs produces a captivating aroma that will make your home cozy and inviting. Let it simmer all day for a captivating scent throughout the house!
- For a Crockpot: Fill the pot with water until it is about two-thirds full. Place all your ingredients, including the chopped apples, pears, pumpkin and ginger, into your crockpot. Sprinkle the herbs evenly over the ingredients.
- For a Stovetop Potpourri Pot: Follow the same steps as above, but use a potpourri pot or Dutch oven instead of a crockpot. You should check regularly and add more water if necessary.
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