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Cozy Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider – Easy & Perfect

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This Cozy Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider is the perfect fall drink, combining apple cider, caramel, and warm spices for a rich, velvety texture. It’s easy to make and fills your home with the scent of autumn.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 64 oz (1.9 liters) apple cider, preferably unfiltered
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) caramel sauce
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 medium orange, juiced and peeled into strips
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves (about 20–25 cloves)
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries (about 15–20 berries)
  • 2–3 whole star anise pods (optional)
  • 1–2 apples, sliced for garnish

Instructions

  1. Wash the orange thoroughly. Using a vegetable peeler or sharp knife, peel off several long strips of orange zest, avoiding the white pith. Cut the orange in half and juice it into a small bowl (about 1/4 cup or 60 ml).
  2. Pour the apple cider into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the orange juice, orange peel strips, brown sugar, and caramel sauce.
  3. Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, whole allspice berries, and star anise (if using). Optionally, tie the cloves and allspice berries in a small piece of cheesecloth for easier straining.
  4. Stir everything together with a wooden spoon until the brown sugar and caramel sauce are mostly dissolved.
  5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours. Do not cook on high, as low heat allows the flavors to meld properly.
  6. After 2 hours, stir and taste the cider. Adjust sweetness by adding more brown sugar or caramel sauce, or add more spices if desired.
  7. After 3-4 hours, turn off the slow cooker. If using a spice sachet, remove and discard it. If spices were added loose, pour the cider through a fine-mesh strainer into a serving pitcher or directly into mugs.
  8. Ladle the hot cider into mugs. Garnish with thin apple slices and a fresh cinnamon stick if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, use unfiltered apple cider. The cider can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator; flavors will deepen. For a spiked version, add 1-2 ounces of bourbon or dark rum per serving after cooking. To keep warm for a party, set the slow cooker to ‘Warm’ after cooking. If using ground spices instead of whole, use sparingly (e.g., 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon) to avoid cloudiness and overpowering flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker caramel apple cider, easy apple cider, fall drink, warm apple cider, caramel apple cider, slow cooker drink

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/cozy-slow-cooker-caramel-apple-cider-easy-and-perfect/