Homemade Real Apple Cider made in the Crockpot

This is super simple and takes very little hands on time!  I found the recipe from AllRecipes.  One of the reviewers said that she combined everything in her crockpot and let it cook all day while she was at work.  

So I took that idea and ran with it; because what's easier than putting something in the crockpot and letting it do the work for you?  You don't have to stir unless you feel like it, you don't have to watch it to make sure it doesn't burn... awesome!

I also wanted to share with you this very cool dragonfly that my husband found while working outside the other day...

Ingredients:

-10 to 15 apples, quartered  {I actually sliced mine into about 8 slices per apple; I thought more surface area = more flavor}

-1 tbsp ground cinnamon

-1 tbsp ground allspice

-3/4 c. sugar, optional {I didn't use any sugar and I like it with just the sweetness from the apples.}

Process:

1. Place apples in large crockpot.

2. Sprinkle cinnamon, allspice and sugar {if using} over apples.

3. Top apples with enough water to cover them, they will float.

 You can see how full my crockpot was...

4. Cover crockpot and allow apples to cook on low for 8-10 hours or overnight.  {I started mine in the afternoon and let them cook overnight.}

5. Allow apple mixture to cool, so its easy enough to work with.  Then strain through a sieve or fine-holed colander.

The pitcher on the right was just stained through a sieve.  The pitcher on the left I ran through my trusty juicer, so I got a little pulp which you can see rises to the top; just shake and drink, delish!

I ended up with about a gallon of cider, which I mainly made so that I could make the Caramel Cider Sauce for this awesome Pumpkin Cake.  Enjoy!