This homemade apple cider recipe is a great reminder that winter is coming. While you may not be ready for the end of summer, and quite frankly neither am I, the apple orchards are and they are ripe for the picking. Many of the ladies in my free and private community were out last week-end for a fabulous family activity.
A favorite fall activity is a perfect excuse to get out of the city, get some fresh air, and enjoy the changing colors of the leaves. Best of all, it is a time to stock up on delicious apples for you, your family, your friends, your neighbors, and your classmates, etc.
Apple season begins mid-August and generally lasts until late October in Canada. And with numerous orchards, also known as vergers, just a short drive out of the city, you really have no excuse not to visit one. Plus, if you’re smart about it, you’ll bring the kids to do the picking while you enjoy the cider.
Homemade Apple Cider Recipe…and Applesauce, Too!
I have not been apple picking just yet but a friend of mine did last Saturday and she shared with me a full bag of sweet Honeycrisp apples.
What to do with so much goodness??
The practical, logical and reasonable side of me came alive… how can I make the most out of this bag of deliciousness…This is how the practical, easy and simple healthy homemade apple cider recipe came to life.
You will get to make apple cider and applesauce all at once … yup same pot and no additional time! You will be ready to serve Thanksgiving favorite drink …adult or kiddo’s version!
Recipes…
PrintApple Cider & Apple Sauce
- Prep Time: 30
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 16 Apples
- 2 Tbsp. Cinnamon or 4 Cinnamon Sticks
- 1 Tbsp. Allspice
- Filtered Water
- Peel of 1/2 lemon in large strip ( including the white)
- 1/4 cup of Maple Syrup (optional- I would recommended you try the unsweetened version first)
Instructions
- You can actually make 2 recipes at the same time – homemade apple cider AND apple sauce!
- First, if you want to make the applesauce, just peel, core, and quarter the apples. If you don’t want to make the applesauce, just quarter the apples, no need to remove the cores, seeds, or peels.
- Place apples in a large stock pot and cover with water. Fill the pot with water until they are covered (about 2 inches).
- Add the remaining ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn down the heat and cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Stir frequently.
- After 30 minutes, turn the heat down to medium, then cover and cook for about an hour and a half.
- Once the apples are essentially mush, take a potato masher and mash them. Let the mixture cook for another 30 minutes.
- Strain out the apple chunks from the liquid, but be careful to save both the liquid (apple cider) and mush (applesauce).
- For the apple cider, we’re all done! Taste and decide if you wish to add the maple syrup. If you do, bring the apple cider to a boil and add the maple syrup and mix well. Bottle using a reusable bottle or mason jars. Keep in the fridge.The “adult version” of the cider will include some vodka….up to you!
- For the applesauce, you may need to give it a blend in a food processor or just smash it a couple additional times with a potato masher. Again taste first and decide if you want to add maple syrup. If you do, just add the maple syrup and blend for extra 30 seconds.
- Enjoy!