Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider. Creamy Crockpot Apple Cider is the perfect fall drink, easily made in the crockpot to stay warm and ready for cozy gatherings or autumn parties.
Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider Drink
Hi! I’m Melissa from No. 2 Pencil and I’m excited to be sharing one of our family traditions with you today! When the weather turns colder, one of my favorite things to make for a family gathering is slow cooker apple cider. This year, I thought it would be fun to mix it up and make caramel apple cider. It was a huge hit and the perfect treat on a crisp fall day.
Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider Ingredients
- 12 cups of apple juice – I bought a gallon and had a little leftover
- 6 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 cup of good quality jarred caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling
- Whipped cream
Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider Directions:
- Heat apple juice and cinnamon sticks in the slow cooker for about 4 hours on high.
- Let the cinnamon sticks soften and uncurl.
- Before serving, stir in 1/2 cup of caramel sauce and serve in heat proof cups. Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel.
Recipe notes:
- I use a 5 quart slow cooker
- When the apple juice is very hot, the caramel may start to separate. That’s ok, just give it a stir and it is perfect again.
I adore Melissa and her blog — Number 2 Pencil.
She has a fabulous, refreshing style and she makes the most delicious recipes!!
Here are a few of my favorite projects from Melissa:
Peanut Marshmallow Treats
Haunted Gingerbread House
Googly Eyes Halloween Wreath
Be sure to stop by No. 2 Pencil and say hi — you will love it!!
More Delicious Fall Recipes:
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Want an easy dessert to make for fall? Whip up this easy Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake which only takes 5 minutes to prep and then cooks in your crockpot and makes your home smell so good!
Game Day Recipe – Warm Crockpot 7-Layer Dip!
7-layer dip in your crock pot — all of the tasty layers of tomatoes, peppers, enchilada sauce, spicy sour cream, black beans, cheese and green onions blend together to make the MOST wonderful dip! Top crisp tortilla chips with the dip and garnish with fresh pico, black olives and green onions!
30 Chicken Recipes to Make in Your Crockpot
Easy chicken recipes to make in your crockpot this fall. From Mexican, Chinese, Indian, or casseroles, you will find chicken recipes your family will love!
Have a Wonderful Day!!
Can this be made in an adult version? Thinking a Halloween party…maybe with rum? What do you think the ratios would be?
I think a shot per 8-16 ounces would work out nicely.
Or you could instead top it with a vodka whipped cream. I think Pinnacle does something like that.
I am really excited to try this, Tomorrow My husband is having “the boys” over for some DnD and I just can’t wait to get this going! I am thinking about adding a bit of a lining to the mug to make it christmas-y. But I love how warm apple cider/juice smells! thanks for posting!
Just served it to my guests, prepared 6 lowball glasses by coating the rim of hte glasses in caramel and dipping in red/green sprinkles. It is delicious! visually pleasing and very colorful! I used a homemade caramel sauce so it has a very rich flavor while maintaining that fluid and thin texture. Oddly enough, a wonderful way to finish a meal of carne asada fries.
And in all honesty…
Nothing makes me happier than to see all these men sitting around a card table doing the manly nerdy thing sipping gingerly from these very done up glasses that smell wonderfully of cinnamon. It definatly brings down the level of testosterone in this room.
thanks so mcuh!
yum! -8 in Glasgow today! Definitely giving it a go! How long should i store leftovers?
I love the idea of this in the crock pot…..which I will be doing for sure this Holiday season. Tonight, though, we are decorating the tree and I wanted to serve it from the stove (only because I didn’t think ahead and have 4 hours to spare). Wondering how long I might could cook the cinnamon sticks and cider on the stove in a big dutch oven?
Can you cook it the day before, store in fridge then reheat in the morning and add the caramel at that time? I have a brunch Christmas morn at 10 so I am trying to figure out how to have this ready at 10am? I’ll be busy with kids that morning! Thanks!
Do you think that I can swap out the cinnamon sticks for regular cinnamon?
Yes! It’s very flexible. Try a teaspoon of cinnamon and add more if needed.
I made it tonight for the family. I just put a spoonful of caramel in each mug as I served it. Delicious!
Would it work to cook on low for 8 hours? I need it to cook all day while I’m a work.
Yes, it should be fine! Just don’t add the caramel until you get home:0)
If I am looking to serve 22 people, can the recipe be doubled?
Sure, you just need a really big slow cooker, or two of them. You can also simmer it on the stovetop.
This recipe looks delicious! I was wondering if you have any leftover would it be safe to store in the refrigerator once you’ve already let it cook with the caramel?
Oh yes, no problem. Just reheat it slowly and stir to recombine if necessary.
sounds amazing! I have a gallon of apple cider left over from a fall party. Do you think it would taste good using that instead of just apple juice. Can’t wait to try this either way! Thank you!
Oh yes! Cider works perfectly!
It doesn’t get cold here but I am not going to let that deter me from making this. Yum!
Thanks so much for having me Jen! I love sharing with your readers, they are so wonderful!
I have a 4 quart slow cooker and wonder how much less I would need to fit it in since she uses a 5 quart? I want to make this for our party this weekend! It looks divine!!!
Amanda – It should fit in your 4 quart just fine!
Yum!! Caramel apple cider is one of my very favorite treats! I love Melissa @ No 2 Pencil also. Her ideas are fabulous and she’s so nice. That eyeball wreath is adorable and after a miserable FAIL with a Haunted House kit from Target yesterday, I think we’ll do the Haunted graham cracker houses instead… adorable!
xo,
Laurie @ Gallamore West
Thanks for the comment Laurie!! I agree — Melissa is so nice and wonderful. I love the idea of Haunted graham cracker houses. And I love you and your site too!!!
xxo
Thanks so much Laurie and Jen! xoxo