Slow Cooker Apple Pie Cider

The weather is now chilly, and the leaves have fallen. That means Pumpkin Spice season! Ok, ok, it's not about pumpkin spice this time, but if you're interested in an amazing recipe for Pumpkin Pie cheesecake, then you're in luck, because I have one for you right here in lat year's birthday post.

This is definitely apple season, and I know that some of my family have gone apple picking this year to make delicious pies, jellies and crumbles. Just the thought of freshly-baked apple pie makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and that's a great thing, since the outside is a little worse for wear lately! I'm now back to culinary school and studying my butt off!

​Fall and winter, for me, is curling up under a warm blanket on the sofa with a hot drink, good company and a bad movie. So why not make the laziness just a bit more warm and fuzzy with delicious homemade cider that's like sipping on a mug of warm apple pie? 

This Apple Pie Cider recipe is incredibly easy to make using any apples you have on hand, and tossing everything together into a slow cooker. Don't have one? No problem, just follow the recipe below and use a regular pot instead, cooking the apples until soft.

What you'll need

5 - 7 apples (a mixture of sour and sweet works best)
1 orange, whole
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 whole clove
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
8 cups (1.8 L)
​Squeeze of lemon
1/3 cup brown sugar
Salted caramel sauce
Whipped cream

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Instructions

1. Core and roughly cut apples, leaving the peel on and placing in pot or slow cooker. The pectin in the apple peel will help to thicken the mixture.
2. Place whole, washed orange in slow cooker with the apples.
3. Cover apples with water and add spices and sugar.
4. Set slow cooker to high for around 4 hours, or low for approximately 8 hours, until apples are soft. You can also boil this in a regular pot, keeping an eye on it. If the orange splits, fish it up and discard, as it can turn your mixture bitter.
5. Blend the mixture well and sieve. Add lemon as needed.
6. Serve warm topped with whipped cream drizzled with caramel sauce.

Tips: You can mix a bit of caramel into your drink for an added depth of flavour together with a generous splash of brandy or cognac. 

This is a great recipe when you want get all cozy with a hot drink. You could also sieve the mixture and drink it cold as a juice, but I prefer it hot and a bit thick. 

If you like this recipe and want to seem more like it, please leave a comment below. Feel free to contact me on Facebook or check out Twitter and Instagram @QuiteChefy, where I often post pictures of the food I make at culinary school.

Stay chefy, everyone!