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Cozy Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cider: Easy Homemade Recipe

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This slow cooker spiced apple cider is made with whole apples, fresh citrus, and warm spices for a deeply flavorful, aromatic drink that fills your home with the scent of autumn. It’s naturally sweetened, vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 10–12 medium apples (a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Granny Smith), washed and quartered
  • 2 large oranges (navel or Valencia), washed and sliced into rounds
  • 1 large lemon, washed and sliced into rounds
  • 4–5 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 5–6 whole allspice berries (or ½ teaspoon ground allspice)
  • 1 whole star anise (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 2–4 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (optional, to taste)
  • 6–8 cups cold water
  • Extra cinnamon sticks, apple slices, or star anise for garnish (optional)
  • Bourbon or rum (optional for adult servings)

Instructions

  1. Wash all apples, oranges, and lemon well. Quarter the apples (no need to peel or core, just remove stems and bruised spots). Slice oranges and lemon into ¼-inch thick rounds.
  2. Layer fruit and spices in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker: start with a layer of apple quarters, then citrus slices, then a few spices. Repeat until all ingredients are used, tucking cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, star anise, and peppercorns between the fruit.
  3. Pour in enough cold water to just barely cover the fruit (about 6-8 cups).
  4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until apples are very soft and falling apart.
  5. Optional: Around hour 6 (or when apples are soft), use a potato masher or wooden spoon to gently mash the fruit in the slow cooker to release more juice.
  6. Strain the cider through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth-lined colander into a large bowl or pitcher. Press on solids with a spoon to extract all liquid. Discard solids.
  7. Taste the cider and stir in 2-4 tablespoons maple syrup or honey if desired, starting with less and adding more to taste.
  8. Serve warm. Transfer back to slow cooker on warm setting or to a pot on the stove to keep warm. Ladle into mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks or apple slices. For adult servings, add a splash of bourbon or rum to each mug.

Notes

For best flavor, use a mix of sweet and tart apples. Organic fruit is recommended since peels are simmered. Whole spices are preferred over ground to avoid cloudiness. Cider can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 5 days; flavors deepen over time. Freeze for up to 3 months. For a stovetop version, simmer all ingredients in a Dutch oven for 1.5-2 hours. For an Instant Pot version, cook on high pressure for 15 minutes with natural release.

Nutrition

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