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Thursday, October 20, 2011

Chew on This | Hot Caramel Apple Cider


We are taking part in the Improv Cooking Challenge!
Join us!


The Improve Cooking Challenge






There's something very comforting and homey to me when it comes to food pairings. 
Pairings like peaches and cream. Fish and chips. Biscuits and honey. 
Cheese and crackers. Chips and salsa. Gin and tonic.

These are all pretty common and traditional pairings, but they sure 
do bring on their own set of nostalgic and cozy food feelings for me. 


This improv challenge brings together another wonderfully delicious 
food combo - Apples and Caramel. Yum!

I decided to interpret this food pairing in my own way. I took the liberty 
to use apple cider. What fun! And that's the delightful
 thing about great combos, give them a tweak
and they take on a new, tasty life.


Using the apples in liquid cider form allowed me to make a favorite of mine. 
Hot Caramel Apple Cider. So perfectly fall!

Hot cider. Warm spices and creamy caramel. 

I topped this mug of hot caramel apple cider with a dollop 
of cinnamon whipped cream. Heaven!

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Here's my recipe:



Hot Caramel Apple Cider
(2 hearty servings)
2 T butter, softened
1/2 t cinnamon
1/8 t ground clove
1/8 t cardamom
1/8 t ground nutmeg
1/8 t ground ginger
2 C apple cider
1/2 C caramel sauce

topping:
1/2 C heavy whipping cream
1 t granulated sugar
2 dashes cinnamon
1 t caramel sauce

In a small bowl, thoroughly combine softened butter and all the spices listed. Set aside.

To make your topping, pour your heavy cream into a small bowl and whip on medium speed with a hand mixer. When cream begins to bubble up add your sugar and two dashes of cinnamon. Whip until soft peaks form. Set the bowl into the refrigerator until needed.

Next, fill a small sauce pan with your apple cider and place on your cook-top over medium-low heat. Allow cider to come to a simmer and then add your butter and spice mixture. Stir to melt butter and infuse spices into the cider. Let the cider continue to simmer for 5 minutes and then take off the heat. Add your caramel and stir to combine.

Pour caramel apple cider into mugs and top with a dollop of cinnamon whipped cream and then drizzle the 1 teaspoon of caramel sauce over the whipped cream to finish. Enjoy!



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22 comments:

  1. This sounds delicious. I might have to save it until next May as we're just coming into summer here in Australia. (Just popping over from Improv Challenge.)

    Anne @ Domesblissity xx

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  2. Oh goodness this sounds heavenly! I am a fellow Improv Challenge participant and your newest follower.

    www.itsybitsypaperblog.com

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  3. I'd love a cup of this right now! Looks wonderful! Mine is the Caramel Apple Scones http://patitudes.blogspot.com/2011/10/caramel-apple-scones-improv-cooking.html

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  4. That's almost sinful! But my oh my does that look good. Will have to give it a try. Wans't Sheryl's challenge fun?

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  5. Wow -- that looks awesome :) I love the idea of this recipe. Glad I stopped by from the Improv Challenge.

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  6. This looks so decadent! what a treat!

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  7. What a GREAT recipe!!! Thanks so much for participating in THE IMPROV COOKING CHALLENGE! I can't wait to see what you make next month using Pumpkin and Cream Cheese.
    ---Sheryl---
    p.s LOVE the Longaberger Basket!!!

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  8. So warm and yummy looking! I bet the aroma is wonderful too! I am #30 in the Improv, this has been so much fun!

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  9. Looks wonderful and I would love a cup right now.

    If you haven't already, I'd love for you to check out my Improv Cooking Challenge recipe: Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies.

    Lisa~~
    Cook Lisa Cook

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  10. I have some extra cider just looking for a use... this might be the ticket. :)

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  11. That just may be the best use of apples and caramels yet.

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  12. Oh my yummy yummy! This is something I wish I could make right now! Gotta go get some of the ingredients first.

    Pinning on pinterest.

    Cheers,
    Tracy Screaming Sardine

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  13. Finding good cider in the South isn't easy, but I'll be on the hunt for it so that I can try your recipe! Great photos, too!

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  14. That looks delicious! Stopping over from Improv Challenge :)

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  15. I featured this recipe on Fun Friday Finds today. I hope you can stop by and grab a featured button.

    http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2011/10/funfridayfinds-caramel-apple-recipes.html

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  16. Oh yum! I'm definitely going to try this myself. Probably my favorite recipe from the challenge!

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  17. Oh, I love hot apple cider. And, I know that I would love it with caramel since that's one of my favorite flavors. This really puts me in the mood for the fall holidays. Thanks for sharing on Sweet Indulgences Sunday.

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  18. Yummiest dish. This is something I wish I could make right now. But I have to buy some of the ingredients first. really very delicious dish it is!!

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  19. Oh, a cup of these would be a perfect way to end a fall evening. I wish I had some right now!! What a great post for this month's challenge!

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  20. This is something I wish I could make right now, These recipes look and sound amazing, I recently made pumpkin muffins and my family like it too much. Your recipe sounds really tasty as well! Delicious.

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  21. I contemplated making a drink recipe for the challenge.... yours doesn't disappoint! Perfect for a fall day :)

    http://steaknpotatoeskindagurl.blogspot.com/2011/10/caramel-apple-marshmallow-dip-improv.html

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