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Cozy Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cider: Easy Homemade Recipe

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This slow cooker spiced apple cider is the ultimate comfort drink, filling your home with a warm, spiced aroma. Made with simple ingredients like apples, oranges, and whole spices, it’s a set-it-and-forget-it recipe perfect for cozy gatherings or a quiet night in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6–8 medium apples (about 2.5 lbs / 1.1 kg), a mix of sweet and tart like Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Granny Smith, cored and quartered
  • 2 medium oranges, one sliced into rounds (peel on) and the other juiced
  • 4 cups (960 ml) good quality, unfiltered apple cider
  • 2 cups (480 ml) water
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves (about 20–25 cloves)
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
  • 2–3 whole star anise pods (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Optional garnishes: extra cinnamon sticks, star anise, thin apple slices, or orange wheels

Instructions

  1. Wash the apples and oranges thoroughly. Core the apples and cut them into quarters. Slice one orange into rounds, about 1/4-inch thick. Juice the other orange into a small bowl.
  2. Place the quartered apples, orange slices, and orange juice into the slow cooker. Pour in the 4 cups of apple cider and 2 cups of water. Add the packed brown sugar.
  3. Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice berries, and star anise (if using). Stir everything gently to combine.
  4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  5. About 30 minutes before serving, use a potato masher or the back of a large spoon to gently mash the softened apples in the slow cooker to release more flavor.
  6. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large heat-safe bowl or pot. Carefully ladle the hot cider through the strainer, pressing on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids.
  7. Stir in the vanilla extract. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed by adding more brown sugar or maple syrup.
  8. Transfer the strained cider back to the slow cooker to keep warm. Ladle into mugs and garnish as desired.

Notes

Don’t skip the orange peel—it adds brightness. Always use whole spices, not ground, to avoid a cloudy, gritty texture. Taste and adjust sweetness as apples vary. This cider tastes even better the next day. For a spiked version, add dark rum, bourbon, or brandy to each mug.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker spiced apple cider, homemade apple cider, warm apple cider, fall drink, holiday drink, easy apple cider recipe

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