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Cozy Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cider: Best Easy Recipe

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This cozy slow cooker spiced apple cider is a warm, aromatic drink that fills your home with the scent of fall. Made with simple, real ingredients, it’s the perfect hands-off recipe for gatherings or a quiet evening.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 64 ounces (8 cups) apple juice or apple cider
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
  • 1 large apple, sliced into rounds
  • 4–5 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 4–5 star anise pods
  • 1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
  • 3–4 slices fresh ginger (optional but recommended)
  • 2–3 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar (optional)
  • 1 vanilla bean, split, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • Fresh cranberries (optional)
  • Additional apple slices, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash the orange and apple thoroughly. Using a sharp knife, slice the orange into thin rounds (about 1/4-inch thick). Do the same with the apple. Set the slices aside.
  2. If using a spice bag or cheesecloth, place the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, allspice berries, and fresh ginger slices inside. Tie it closed securely. Alternatively, you can toss the spices directly into the slow cooker.
  3. Pour the entire 64 ounces of apple juice or cider into your slow cooker. Add the orange slices and apple slices. Drop in the spice bag (or the loose spices). If using maple syrup or brown sugar, add it now.
  4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The longer it simmers, the more intense the flavor will be.
  5. After the cooking time is up, taste the cider. If it’s not sweet enough, stir in a little more maple syrup or brown sugar. If you want more spice, let it simmer for another 30 minutes.
  6. If you used a spice bag, remove it and discard. If you used loose spices, you can either leave them in for a more rustic look or strain the cider through a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher or punch bowl. Ladle the warm cider into mugs. Garnish each mug with a fresh apple slice, an orange slice, and a cinnamon stick.

Notes

Don’t boil the cider; keep it on LOW for best results. Toasting the spices in a dry skillet for 1-2 minutes before adding can deepen the flavor. The cider can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup. Start with the recommended spice amounts and adjust to taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker spiced apple cider, apple cider, spiced cider, fall drink, slow cooker drink, easy apple cider

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/cozy-slow-cooker-spiced-apple-cider-best-easy-recipe/