12applesa variety of gala, granny smith and red delicious, sliced
1-2large orangespeeled and quartered (optional)
1lemonpeeled (optiona and will leave slight hint of lemonl)
3-4cinnamon sticks
3-4teaspoonswhole cloves
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
brown sugar and white sugarto sweeten
Instructions
Add apples, oranges, lemon, cinnamon sticks and whole cloves to a slow cooker. (See stovetop version below)
Fill slow cooker with water.
Cover and simmer for at least 4 hours or until apples are super tender. (I just let mine cook on low overnight, very flavorful this way!)
Use a potato masher to mash up all the ingredients.
Cover and cook for another hour.
Strain mixture several times into a pitcher using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth until smooth.
Stir in vanilla extra.
Add enough brown sugar and white sugar to reach desired sweetness. (I like really sweet cider so I added about 3/4 cup of white sugar and 1/2 cup of brown sugar)
Serve steaming hot or ice cold, garnished with a fresh cinnamon stick and chopped apples.