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Cozy Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider

slow cooker caramel apple cider - featured image
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This slow cooker caramel apple cider is made with real apples, orange slices, and whole spices, finished with a silky caramel sauce. It’s the perfect cozy drink for fall gatherings and converts even the most stubborn apple cider skeptics.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups apple cider (not apple juice)
  • 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), thinly sliced
  • 1 medium orange, thinly sliced
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise pods
  • 1/2 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • Optional garnishes: extra cinnamon sticks, apple slices, orange wheels, or a drizzle of caramel

Instructions

  1. Wash the apples and orange thoroughly. Slice the apples into thin rounds, about 1/4-inch thick. Slice the orange into thin rounds. Remove any seeds.
  2. Place the apple slices and orange slices in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise pods on top of the fruit.
  3. Pour the 8 cups of apple cider over the fruit and spices, making sure everything is submerged.
  4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours.
  5. After the cooking time is up, taste the cider. If you want it stronger, let it simmer for another 30 minutes to an hour. If it’s too strong, add a splash of water or more cider.
  6. Remove the slow cooker from heat or switch it to WARM. Stir in the 1/2 cup of caramel sauce until fully dissolved and the cider looks smooth and glossy.
  7. If desired, strain the cider through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a heatproof pitcher or directly into mugs. Otherwise, ladle it straight from the slow cooker.
  8. Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick, an apple slice, or a drizzle of caramel on the rim. Serve warm.

Notes

Don’t rush the simmer; low and slow is best for flavor infusion. Add caramel at the end to prevent separation or burning. For a boozy version, add 1/2 cup bourbon, dark rum, or spiced whiskey during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Leftover cider keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and freezes for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, apple cider, caramel, fall, autumn, warm drink, non-alcoholic, party drink

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/cozy-slow-cooker-caramel-apple-cider/