By Sharon Merkel Prudhomme ~

Having a Fall Harvest Party? Nothing says Fall more than the aroma of apples and cinnamon wafting through the house! Better than Glade! This is a great recipe that all ages will love. Of course, we’ve added a good amount of wine to our warm and yummy elixir on occasion!  

1 orange

11 medium apples (any sweet & tart apples will work)

4 cinnamon sticks (or 1.5 Tbl ground cinnamon)

1.5 tsp ground cloves

1/5 tsp nutmeg

granulated sugar* (sweeten to taste, add & taste, you can always add but can’t take away-*sugar substitute can be used, again, to taste)

1. Peel the orange and separate segments into the slow cooker. If no slow cooker or crockpot, simply use a stockpot on the stove. Quarter the apples, and place them in the slow cooker. Add cinnamon sticks, ground cloves, nutmeg, and sugar. Add enough water to cover the fruit.
2. Cook on high heat for about 3 hours or start early in the day and let cook 6 hrs. The fruit will be soft enough to mash with a potato masher. Cook on low for 1 more hour.
3. Strain mixture through a sieve into a pot or pitcher. *(You can use the solids for a great baked pork chop, chicken or ham dinner!) Strain cider a second time. Serve warm. Leftover cider keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Warm-up on the stove or in mugs in the microwave before serving. Some prefer it cold.

*Did you know cider can be frozen for several months?!