The only truly "essential" spices are whole cinnamon sticks. We used eight cinnamon sticks, but we love a lot of cinnamon flavor. Some of our favorite additions are fresh ginger, cloves, nutmeg, allspice and star anise. If you don't like or don't have any of the spices or aromatics for this low carb apple cider, don't worry.
Taste to see how sweet the apples are. You can also add cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice the last 5 minutes of cooking time. Keep applesauce boiling and ladle hot sauce into hot jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust two piece caps. Process pints and quarts for 20 minutes in a boiling water canner.
Core the apple and slice thinly. Heat up butter in a frying pan and brown the slices until golden. Add cinnamon towards the end. Serve the apples warm with the vanilla sauce.
The cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice are to taste. Thus no exact measurements." Peel, core and quarter apples. You will need 3 to 3-1/2 pounds per quart of applesauce. Place in large saucepot. Cook apples with just enough water so they don't stick. Cook over medium heat until soft. Puree in food processor or food mill until smooth.