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Easy Slow Cooker Apple Cider with Cinnamon Sticks

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This homemade slow cooker apple cider with cinnamon sticks is incredibly easy to make, filling your house with the warm, comforting aroma of autumn. With simple ingredients and a hands-off cooking method, it’s the perfect drink for cozy gatherings or a quiet afternoon.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8–10 medium apples (about 3 pounds), a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Granny Smith, washed and quartered
  • 2 medium oranges, washed and sliced into ¼-inch rounds
  • 4–5 cinnamon sticks (preferably Ceylon cinnamon)
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 2–3 whole star anise (optional)
  • ¼ to ½ cup maple syrup or brown sugar, to taste
  • 8 cups water
  • Optional garnishes: apple slices, additional cinnamon sticks, star anise

Instructions

  1. Wash the apples and oranges thoroughly. Cut the apples into quarters (no need to remove cores or seeds). Slice the oranges into rounds about ¼-inch thick.
  2. Place the apple quarters and orange slices in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise (if using). Pour in the maple syrup or sprinkle in the brown sugar. Add the 8 cups of water. Stir gently to combine.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the apples are very soft and starting to break down.
  4. Once the cooking time is up, use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to mash the apples and oranges right in the slow cooker to release all remaining juice and flavor.
  5. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl or pitcher. Carefully ladle or pour the contents of the slow cooker through the strainer. Press on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. For clearer cider, strain a second time through cheesecloth.
  6. Taste the cider and add more sweetener if needed (e.g., another tablespoon or two of maple syrup). Optionally, add a pinch of salt to brighten the flavors.
  7. Serve warm, garnished with a fresh cinnamon stick and an apple slice if desired. The cider can also be served chilled.

Notes

For best flavor, use a mix of sweet and tart apples. Don’t skip the oranges—they add brightness. Toast spices in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding for extra aroma. The cider improves after a day in the fridge. Start with less sweetener and adjust at the end.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker apple cider, homemade apple cider, cinnamon sticks, fall drink, easy apple cider, warm apple cider

Find it online: https://piperplate.com/easy-slow-cooker-apple-cider-with-cinnamon-sticks/