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This easy Crock Pot Pumpkin Apple Cider is the ultimate fall drink, whether served hot or cold! Smooth, spicy apple cider is slow cooked with the comforting flavor of pumpkin, and makes your house smell like grandma’s during the holidays!
This post is sponsored in conjunction with PumpkinWeek . We received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the PumpkinWeek recipes. We only work with companies that we love and, as always, all opinions are 100% ours.
You guys, I’m obsessed.
This Pumpkin Apple Cider has me right in my feelings, and – as always – I will not deny my pumpkin-loving basicness here.
How could I? I mean, it’s Pumpkin Week, after all.
And since Abe hates apple cider, someone had to take it down.
Much like Katniss, I didn’t hesitate to volunteer my mug.
JUST TAKE ME TO THE PUMPKIN APPLE CIDER RECIPE ALREADY!
If you’d rather skip my (pretty darn helpful) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this deliciously easy apple cider recipe, just scroll right on down to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card!
As ready as I am for fall and comfort food and crock pot everything, our Florida weather just won’t make it comfortable for me.
We hosted my brother-in-law and our 3-year-old nephew this past weekend. While we had big outdoor plans (beach! springs!), the humid 90-degree weather kept up inside.
While my lazy inner hermit rejoiced, I was pretty bummed for our nephew, who was really looking forward to playing in the sand with his new toys.
We did, however, take them to a couple of our favorite restaurants – because what else would we do? Sunday brunch was brutal – 1pm, outdoor seating. Even though we were on the water and in the shade, the entire meal was terribly uncomfortable and sweat-inducing.
TLDR: I hate sweating. I’d much rather be wrapped up in fuzzy blankets in the cold A/C, sipping seasonably inappropriate warm drinks like this homemade apple cider.
Thank goodness the idea of fall is here, even if Ma Nature ain’t with the program down here.
Welcome to #PumpkinWeek 2018 hosted by Love and Confections and A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures!
This year is even bigger and better than ever with a giveaway! Thirty nine bloggers from around the country are showcasing their best pumpkin dishes. Get ready for Fall with over 130 pumpkin recipes throughout the week including cocktails, main courses, pizzas, pastas, pastries, breads, muffins, and plenty of desserts! Our PumpkinWeek Sponsors are helping us give away some great prizes. Thank you so much, Sponsors, for your generosity. We have an incredible giveaway below and we’d love if you would take a moment to read about it and what you can win!
Prize #1 Dixie Crystals is giving one winner a 6-Quart Instant Pot 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer.
Since 1917, Dixie Crystals® has been the South’s choice for high-quality sugar and sweeteners. For generations, Dixie Crystals has been at the heart of family traditions and celebrations. Our pure cane, non-GMO sugar products guarantee that treasured family recipes will turn out right every time. Bake with love and Dixie Crystals.
Prize #2 Cabot Creamery Co-operative is giving one winner a Cheese Gift Box, including a selection of Seriously Sharp, Pepper Jack, Sharp Light, Extra Sharp, Horseradish, Private Stock, Vintage Choice, and Sharp cheeses, VT Sharp Cracker Cuts, Burlap & Plaid Bag, Thick & Thin Slicer, and Wooden Cutting Board
Cabot Creamery Co-operative, makers of naturally aged, award-winning cheeses and dairy products is owned by 1,000 dairy farm families in New England and New York.
Prize #3 Eggland’s Best is giving one winner an Eggland’s Best Kitchen Essential Prize Package that includes a Freezer Bag, Whisk, Spatula, Plush Phone Holder and Cleaner, Plush Egg, Recipe Book, 3 Free Months of Eggland’s Best Eggs and Cutting Board.
Eggland’s Best eggs have more of the delicious, farm fresh taste you and your family love – anyway you cook them. Plus, Eggland’s Best provides superior nutrition such as 6x more vitamin D, 10x more vitamin E, and double the omega 3s compared to ordinary eggs so why settle for less?
Scroll down to the bottom of the post to enter!
What’s the Difference Between Apple Cider and Apple Juice?
Apple cider is raw juice that hasn’t been filtered at all to remove the larger bits of pulp that come from the post-cooking mashing process. It is unpasteurized and can ferment and turn into hard cider if it’s unrefrigerated.
Apple juice is cider that has been filtered to remove solids, then pasteurized for shelf stability.
How to Make Apple Cider:
First, choose your perfect apple-spice blend. If you’re looking for a sweeter cider using less processed sugar, use Gala, Fuji, or Golden Delicious. If you like your homemade apple cider a bit on the tart side, try Braeburn, Jonathan, or McIntosh. A blend of apples from both flavor families will yield you a perfect blend. Wash, core, and chop them and place them in your crock pot. As far as spices go, a few cinnamon sticks and a dash or two of nutmeg, ginger and cloves (or pumpkin pie spice blend) will give you a nice, warm spiced cider flavor.
Next, add your pure pumpkin puree & sugar. Always look for 100% pure pumpkin – not the pie filling – on the store shelf. If you’d prefer to use your own roasted pumpkin puree, this is one of the best ways to use it! When it comes to sugar, there is plenty in the apples, but a little bit of extra sweetness is needed for the final product. Brown sugar adds a nice caramelly flavor, but regular granulated or cane sugar will be equally yummy. And don’t forget a bit of lemon juice to help bring out the flavors.
Then, cook it up – the longer the better! These low and slow recipes are where your slow cooker shines. 6-7 hours is ideal for this cider, but if you’re short on time, 3-4 hours on high will do. When the apples are all mushy, smash them with a potato masher (or in your food processor!) and let it cook for another hour to release even more apple flavor.
Finally, strain it smooth. No one wants to half-choke on an apple peel as they sip their cider. Strain the applesauce-like mixture into a pitcher, then serve it either warm or chilled.
Can I Freeze Apple Cider?
Absolutely! Pour anything you won’t be drinking in the next 7 days into a freezer-safe container, then freeze it for up to 3 months.
Of course, if you leave it in the fridge, you’ll end up with slightly fizzy, fermented “hard cider” – a byproduct you might end up enjoying as well!
LOOKING FOR MORE FALL DRINK RECIPES?
HELPFUL KITCHEN TOOLS FOR MAKING HOMEMADE APPLE CIDER:
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Crock Pot Pumpkin Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 10 medium apples washed & sliced
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup brown sugar packed (or more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 star anise pods optional
- Water
Instructions
Wash, core, and slice apples and place them in the crock of a slow cooker. Add cinnamon sticks and star anise (if using).
Pour 1 cup of water in a large measuring cup. Add pumpkin puree, brown sugar, lemon juice, and pie spice and whisk until well blended. Pour mixture over apples in crock.
Add water to crock until apples are completely covered. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours.
When cook time is up, carefully use a potato masher to crush the cooked apples. Cover and cook 1 hour on low.
Pour mash through a strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl, releasing as much juice as possible from the crushed fruit with a spoon or by squeezing. Discard the solids, as well as the cinnamon sticks.
Pour juice into a pitcher and add sugar to taste if necessary. Refrigerate and enjoy for up to 7 days.
PIN THIS HOMEMADE APPLE CIDER FOR LATER!
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Here’s Round 1 of our #PumpkinWeek recipes:
Beverages:
Caramel Pumpkin Spice Latte from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Cold Brew Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte from The Nifty Foodie
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Apple Cider from The Crumby Kitchen
The Great Pumpkin Cocktail from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Savory:
Chicken Enchiladas with Pumpkin Sauce from House of Nash Eats
Creamy Pumpkin Risotto from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
Harvest Pumpkin Soup from Everyday Eileen
Pumpkin & Sausage Pizza from Hardly A Goddess
Pumpkin Carbonara with Fried Sage from The Redhead Baker
Pumpkin Chili from The Chef Next Door
Pumpkin Gnocchi from Platter Talk
Pumpkin Quiche from Jonesin’ For Taste
Stuffed Pumpkin from A Day in the Life on the Farm
Taiwanese Pumpkin Rice Noodles from Caroline’s Cooking
Baked Goods & Desserts:
Chai Frosted Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies from Who Needs A Cape?
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Skillet Cookie from The Bitter Side of Sweet
Chocolate Pumpkin Dump Cake from For the Love of Food
Chocolate Swirled Pumpkin Cheesecake from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Classic Pumpkin Roll from Cookaholic Wife
Glazed Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scones from Family Around the Table
Homemade Pumpkin Pancakes from Tip Garden
Make-Ahead Pumpkin-Chai Egg Bites from Wholistic Woman
No Bake Pumpkin Cookies from Seduction In The Kitchen
Pumpkin Cake Pops from The Beard and The Baker
Pumpkin Cheesecake Ebelskiver from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls from Amy’s Cooking Adventures
Pumpkin Cookie Bars from Eat Move Make
Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie from 4 Sons ‘R’ Us
Pumpkin Noodle Kugel from The Spiffy Cookie
Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from Sweet Beginnings
Pumpkin Peanut Butter Cups from It Bakes Me Happy
Pumpkin Pecan Pie Layer Cake from Love and Confections
Pumpkin Pie Pull Apart Muffins from Daily Dish Recipes
Pumpkin Snickerdoodles from The Mandatory Mooch
Pumpkin Spice Latte Whoopie Pies from Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Pumpkin Spice Pancakes from April Golightly
Pumpkin Spice Popovers from Grumpy’s Honeybunch
Pumpkin Stuffed French Toast from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Simple Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes from Cooking with Carlee
Be sure to enter our amazing Pumpkin Week giveaway!
Disclaimer: Thank you PumpkinWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Cabot Cheese, and Eggland’s Best for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for PumpkinWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The PumpkinWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Three (3) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The PumpkinWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the PumpkinWeek posts or entry.
Wendy Klik says
That homemade apple cider looks amazing. I can almost smell it.