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Cozy Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider

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A small-batch slow cooker caramel apple cider that delivers deep, mulled-apple warmth with ribbons of buttery caramel in every sip. Perfect for a quiet afternoon or a cozy evening, this easy recipe uses simple pantry staples and requires just five minutes of prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (720 ml) apple cider
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) caramel sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (25 g) brown sugar
  • 1 whole cinnamon stick
  • 3 to 4 whole cloves
  • 1 whole star anise (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • For serving (optional): whipped cream, extra caramel drizzle, cinnamon stick

Instructions

  1. Prep the slow cooker. Plug in your small slow cooker and give it a quick rinse if needed. No need to grease it.
  2. Combine the cider and caramel. Pour the 3 cups of apple cider into the slow cooker. Add the 1/4 cup of caramel sauce and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Whisk gently until mostly dissolved.
  3. Add the spices. Drop in the cinnamon stick, whole cloves, and star anise (if using). Stir to distribute. Add the pinch of salt.
  4. Set it and forget it. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours (or HIGH for 1 hour). About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Check the flavor. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. If too sweet, add a splash more cider or a squeeze of lemon juice.
  6. Strain (optional). Pour through a fine-mesh strainer to remove whole spices, or leave them in for looks.
  7. Serve and garnish. Ladle into mugs. Top with whipped cream, extra caramel drizzle, and a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t boil the cider; slow cookers on LOW stay around 200°F. Add vanilla extract during the last 30 minutes for best flavor. If using homemade caramel that is thin, whisk before serving. To double the recipe, keep spice amounts the same—only double the cider, caramel, and brown sugar. For a boozy version, add a splash of bourbon, dark rum, or Calvados to each mug before pouring.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker caramel apple cider, small batch apple cider, caramel apple cider, fall drink, warm apple cider, slow cooker drink, easy apple cider recipe

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/cozy-slow-cooker-caramel-apple-cider/