Center Stage: Caramel Apple Cider with Southern Plate

Christy Jordan is the south’s favorite foodie and owner and writer of SouthernPlate.com. She is the author of Come Home to Supper and Southern Plate. You can find the family at SouthernPlate.com, the Southern Plate Family Facebook Page, Front Porch Forums, on Twitter or you can subscribe by email.

I have two best friends when it comes to time in my kitchen: my Mama and my slow cooker! My mother, well, that is obvious. She taught me how to cook and is my main brainstorming partner when it comes to recipe development. My slow cooker is the one appliance that will actually do my cooking for me while I focus on other things. It’s like having my own private kitchen staff – maybe that’s why I own five of them!

I was honored to be invited to do a guest post for Hamilton Beach. They have been my go-to brand for appliances ever since I had my own kitchen. Hamilton Beach has earned my respect and patronage because they build innovative products made for the long haul and at prices families can afford. I own everything from food processors to hand mixers to indoor grills made by HB, but when it came time to share a recipe with you I had to go back to my faithful slow cooker!

I love to see my kid’s faces light up when they come home to wonderful smells filling the house. And slow cooked apple anything is sure to make your house smell as good as it gets this side of heaven. As my kids have gotten older they have come to love “custom” warm drinks, like the ones served in coffee houses and such.

This slow cooked apple cider is the perfect treat at the end of a school day or on a lazy Saturday afternoon. During the colder months, I make a batch on the weekend and store whatever we don’t finish in the fridge to quickly heat up after school or for weeknight treats. Don’t let the simplicity fool ya, though. This Caramel Apple Cider is definitely party worthy as well! I hope you get to make it soon and enjoy some slow sippin’ time with your loved ones this holiday season!