We used to always drink apple cider and homemade wassail on Christmas, and this year, I wanted to find a homemade version that I could make with the kids.
I found a few recipes online but most were for huge amounts of cider and required canning and special equipment. I wanted to find a way to make a batch we could use without canning and make in one day.
Crock-pot Apple Cider Recipe
I immediately thought of the crock pot, because I loved the idea of the smell of apple cider filling our house and because it is so easy.
We had a mixture of different organic apples in the house: Fiji, Honeycrisp and Gala so I used those. I didn’t have to add any sweetener because those apples were naturally sweet, but any apples would work. If you use more sour apples, you may want to add a little honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar to the final product.
The apples and spices smelled heavenly as they cooked down in the slow-cooker and the finished product was delicious. We liked it served warm, but we refrigerated the leftovers in a stainless steel pitcher and it was wonderful cold as well.
The grown-ups in the house made the cider into this Hot Buttered Rum recipe from Mommypotamus and it was amazing. In fact, we are making the hot buttered rum again and serving on Christmas for the whole extended family.
TIP: I recommend making this at night before bed and cooking on low in the slow-cooker so it is ready for breakfast on Christmas. Bonus: your house will smell amazing all day!
Homemade Apple Cider Recipe
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 1 gallon
Homemade apple cider in a slowcooker with fresh apples and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg is a perfect treat for a winter night!
Ingredients
- 10 fresh apples
- 1 orange
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- Dash of nutmeg (ground)
- Dash of cloves (ground or 4 whole)
- 1 Gallon of filtered water
Instructions
- Wash apples and peel if they aren't organic.
- Cut into slices and place in slow cooker.
- Slice orange into 8 slices and add to slow cooker.
- Add spices.
- Pour water into the slow cooker and turn on low for about 8 hours. I prefer to make this before bed and have it ready (and the house smelling incredible) for breakfast.
- Strain out apples and spices using a cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer.
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What foods or drinks are a family tradition at your house?
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