Use a peeler to gently remove the skin from the apples, and then, with a corer or a sharp knife, remove the cores. Make sure to discard any seeds.
Place the chopped apples in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan and pour in the apple cider.
Cover the saucepan with a lid and heat it over medium heat to bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to simmer until the apples become soft and pulpy, about 30 minutes.
Once the apples are soft, use a hand blender to blend the cooked apple mixture until it reaches a smooth texture. Alternatively, you can use a food mill.
Return the smooth apple mixture to the saucepan, and now add the sugar, lemon juice, spices (cinnamon stick, ground cinnamon, ground cloves), and a pinch of salt. Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure these ingredients are well incorporated.
Place the saucepan back on the heat and simmer the mixture once again. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Continue simmering and stirring for about 2 hours.
After the mixture has thickened, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool down completely. Once cooled, you can store it in the refrigerator for future use.
Serve with waffles, scones, biscuits, muffins, yogurt, or cheeses.