New & Improved Refined Sugar-Free Hot Slow Cooker Apple Cider

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Nothing says fall is here quite like fresh hot apple cider. Warm, sweet, and inviting this cider brings crisp apple flavor with warming baking spices displayed and a striking golden amber hue. Let this cider transport you to cozy evenings, colorful leaves, and warm sweaters.

This recipe incorporates all the elements you already know and love, but with no refined sugar. By omitting typical ‘commercial’ apple juice, we avoid the corn syrup it contains, and greatly reduce the sugar content of the final product. Be sure your apple juice has no added sugars, and is not from concentrate. I use R.W. Knudsen brand.

This cider on its own is a gem of a fall recipe, but it gets even better. Remember those apples we pureed? Well, surprise! Now you have homemade spiced applesauce! Store it in 2 pint jars, cool, and refrigerate for up to a week. Just like that, it’s two recipes in one with hardly any effort. What could be better than that? Happy fall y’all!

Looking for other apple recipes? Check out my Easy Slow Cooker Refined Sugar-Free SCD Apple Butter, Old Fashioned Spiced Apple Cake Doughnuts, or, Acorn Squash & Apple Soup with Bacon.

                                                                                         

New & Improved Refined Sugar-Free Hot Slow Cooker Apple Cider

Serves 8
Prep: 20 min
Cooking:  8 hours
Total: 8 hours 20 min
Beginner

Ingredients:

12 Gala or Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and quartered 

1 orange, peeled, then cut into segments

5 cinnamon sticks

4 cloves, whole

1 star anise 

⅓ cup honey 

4 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar 

4 cups apple juice, no added sugar, not from concentrate 

4 cups of water, filtered

  Method Of Prep:

  1. Gather and prepare ingredients. Set up your slow cooker.
  2. Start by peeling, coring, and quartering your apples.
  3. Add peeled and quartered apples, orange peel and segments, spices, honey, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, and water. Stir until honey dissolves.
  4. Set the slow cooker on low for eight hours.
  5. Once finished, remove spices, orange peel, and orange pieces with tongs or a slotted spoon and dispose.
  6. Next, carefully remove the apple pieces with a slotted spoon.
  7. Add apple pieces to a high-speed blender or food processor. Pulse until the applesauce becomes smooth, set aside.
  8. Now, strain the cider through cheesecloth or through a sieve.
  9. Ladle into mugs and enjoy! If made ahead of time, store the cider in 4 pint jars, cool, and refrigerate until ready to reheat. Store applesauce in 2 pint jars. Happy fall! 

                      

Nutrition Facts: (cider 8 oz. ea.)
Calories- 168
Carbs- 40.6
Protein- 0.8 g
Fat- 0.2 g
Nutrition Facts: (applesauce  ½ cup)  
Calories- 147
Carbs- 41.2 g
Fat- 0.5 g
Protein- 0.8 g