1. **Prepare the apples:**
– In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced apples and cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and caramelize slightly.
2. **Add spices and liquid:**
– Stir in the ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Add the oats, milk (or water), raisins (if using), brown sugar (or honey), and salt. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
3. **Cook the oatmeal:**
– Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oats are tender and the mixture has thickened to your desired consistency. If the oatmeal becomes too thick, you can add a little more milk or water to reach your preferred texture.
4. **Finish with vanilla:**
– Stir in the vanilla extract during the last minute of cooking. This adds a lovely aroma and enhances the overall flavor.
5. **Serve:**
– Spoon the warm oatmeal into bowls and top with your favorite toppings such as chopped nuts, additional apple slices, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, and a dollop of yogurt or cream.
### Tips:
– **Apple varieties:** For a more tart flavor, use Granny Smith apples. For a sweeter, more tender result, choose Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji apples.
– **Make it vegan:** Substitute the butter with coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative, and use non-dairy milk like almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
– **Add protein:** To make the oatmeal more filling, add a scoop of protein powder, a spoonful of nut butter, or a handful of nuts or seeds.
– **Batch cooking:** This recipe can be easily doubled to serve more people or to have leftovers. Store any extra oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk or water to loosen the texture.
Enjoy your **German Apple Oatmeal**—a delicious and wholesome dish that brings a taste of Germany’s best flavors to your kitchen!
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