Description
This cozy Crockpot Apple Cider recipe uses a slow cooker to extract the perfect balance of sweetness and spice from fresh apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and orange. It’s an easy, hands-off way to create a comforting homemade cider, perfect for chilly days or festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 4 pounds apples, chopped (a mix of Ambrosia and Honey Crisp recommended)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 orange, chopped
- 2 quarts water
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: Place the chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, ground allspice, whole cloves, chopped orange, and water into the crockpot.
- Cook on low: Set the crockpot to low heat and cook the mixture for 6 hours until the apples have softened completely.
- Mash the fruit: Once cooked, use a potato masher to mash the entire contents inside the crockpot, breaking down the fruit to release its juice.
- Extract juice: Squeeze out as much juice as possible from the mashed apples and orange segments, then scoop out any chunks. Pour the resulting liquid cider through a fine mesh sleeve or strainer to remove solids.
- Serve or store: Enjoy the fresh apple cider immediately, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for later use.
Notes
- You can use any variety of sweet apples for this recipe, though a mix enhances flavor complexity.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar to suit your desired sweetness.
- The cider can be served warm or chilled.
- For a spiked version, add a splash of bourbon or spiced rum before serving.
- Leftover solids can be composted or used in apple butter recipes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 0.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 0.4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
