Farm to Table- Crockpot Apple Cider

Got apples?

We do.

So what do you do when life gives you apples? You make hot apple cider, of course! Or apple butter, or apple pie, or apple cider vinegar, or apple crisp, or apple tarts…you get the gist.

So let’s head on out to the orchard and get ourselves some apples!

 The biggest misconception about apple picking is that it is glamorous. People fly to the most beautiful orchards in the world and take stunning photos in adorable outfits with beautiful leaves surrounding them. When in reality the best way to go apple picking is to put your hair up in the biggest bun on top of your head, put on the boots you don’t mind getting all muddy, and bundling up in a million sweaters and vest to stay warm. Trust me about ten minutes after I took my photos my hair went up immediately. Apple picking is all about having fun and being comfortable while doing it.

Apple picking is one of the most amazing things to do in the fall. Nothing beats bundling up, grabbing a basket and a wagon or in our case a wheelbarrow too, and a ladder and a fruit picker stick aaannd thenn heading out to the orchard to pick apples with your own hands off a tree. Going apple picking is fun and festive. When you reach for an apple, feel the crisp air on your face, the tug as you pull it off from the branch, and place it in your basket fills you up with joy and surrounds you with fall and the smell of fresh apples.

After your buckets, wagons, even pockets are full of apples it is time to head into the kitchen and make ourselves a nice treat.

Today I am going to show you how to make homemade apple cider using a crockpot because let’s be honest not everyone has time to spend 6-8 hours slaving in the kitchen.

Homemade Crockpot Apple Cider

Ingredients:

10-15 apples depending on the size and how big your crockpot is. I used 15 small apples.

One and a half oranges, peeled.

1/2 cup sugar, more depending on how sweet you like it. 3 cinnamon sticks and 2 teaspoons ground cloves.

Prep: Cut up the apples and oranges into thick slices.

Cook: Place the apples, oranges, and spices into the crockpot.

Fill the crockpot with water until just covering the fruit. Stir to make sure ingredients are mixed well.

Cook on high overnight in the crockpot or for about 6 hours minimum.

Next, smash the fruit to release juices and cook for two more hours. Then strain the juice, discarding the pulp.

Serve hot with whip cream & sprinkles.

I hope you all are having a wonderful fall season filled with lots of hot cider that keeps you warm and cozy.