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I love autumn – this time of year is definitely my favourite. I particularly enjoy seeing the leaves change colour and the child getting excited about Halloween – and as the temperatures fall and the darker evenings draw in, it makes me want to pull on my comfiest clothes, light a candle and settle in for a cosy evening at home. Autumn isn’t just a season for me – it’s a whole mood, and I’m embracing it fully with soft loungewear, hearty meals and a little help from Very.co.uk.
Setting the scene for cosy nights in
Creating that snug, autumnal feeling involves all the senses. Layering up soft lighting – think orange hues and flickering candles – creates a golden glow that instantly makes the darkest, dreariest evening feel more inviting. Then, it’s time for the more tactile comforts: a plush throw, a suitably-themed cushion, and my cosy Chelsea Peers pyjamas, with their signature softness and fun prints creating a stylish yet comfortable autumn uniform.
All that’s left is to grab something delicious to eat – and that’s where my slow cooker comes in.
The hero of the autumn kitchen
Slow cookers are, without a doubt, the kitchen hero of this season. There’s something deeply satisfying about prepping your ingredients in the morning, setting them to cook low and slow, and having a hearty meal ready for you just as the evening chill starts to set in.
From hearty curries to comforting stews, slow cookers reduce the effort of cooking while still delivering that hearty, homemade goodness we crave at this time of year. They’re perfect for busy weekdays or lazy weekends when you’d rather spend your time snuggled on the sofa, rather than slaving away over the stove.
My favourite part isn’t just the eating: it’s the fact that slow cooker meals act like an edible version of a scented candle, filling the entire house with delicious aromas (only problem is, I end up hungry all day!)
This autumn, my slow cooker is already working overtime. It’s not just about those stews and curries, though: because no autumn evening is complete without something sweet, I’ve been experimenting with desserts, too. This apple crumble was the perfect autumn slow cooker dessert to start off before the afternoon school run, meaning it was ready for the whole family to enjoy come dinner time. Working from home, the smell of cinnamon-spiked apples wafting through the house definitely got me feeling those autumn vibes!
Slow cooker apple crumble recipe
Ingredients
- 1 kg Granny Smith or Bramley apples (peeled and cored weight)
- 50 g caster sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 175 g plain flour
- 100 g fridge-cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 75 g caster sugar
- 30 g oats
Instructions
- Lightly grease your slow cooker basin. Peel and core your apples, cutting each one into six wedges. Place directly into the slow cooker, sprinkle with the 50g caster sugar and ground cinnamon, and combine.
- Place the flour, butter and 75g caster sugar in a bowl. Rub together between your fingertips until the butter is fully incorporated, with the mixture resembling breadcrumbs. Stir through the oats and sprinkle the mixture over the top of the apples.
- Place a clean, dry tea towel under the lid of your slow cooker to absorb any excess moisture (you don’t want a soggy crumble topping!) Cook on HIGH for 2.5 hours.
- After this time, remove the lid and the tea towel, replacing the lid so it is slightly ajar, and continue to cook for another 20-30 minutes to firm up the topping.
- Serve the crumble with your choice of cream, ice cream or custard!
Very.co.uk – everything you need for a cosy autumn at home
Whether you’re refreshing your autumn wardrobe with new Chelsea Peers PJs, investing in a slow cooker to simplify your autumn dinners or searching for autumnal decor to add some seasonal warmth to your home, Very.co.uk has you covered. Their range makes it easy for you to transform your home into a cosy retreat, ready for every lazy Sunday, movie night and comfort meal the season brings.