Apple Cider Caramel Sauce #appleweek

       My new favorite caramel sauce has arrived!!  This is so good.  Not to toot my own horn or anything (toot, toot!) but I think it might just be the best caramel sauce I've ever had.  It is as rich and creamy as you would want a caramel sauce to be, but there is a bit of a tart apple apple flavor in there that wakes up your tastebuds and will make them do a happy dance to boot!
        The best part is how easy it is to make.  Just take your favorite apple cider and concentrate it down so those flavors really shine through.  Then build a quick caramel sauce.  It can be ready in about 20 minutes and most of that time doesn't require much more than an occasional glance.  Then the fun kicks in, deciding what to use your caramel on!

      I made the caramel as a glaze and finishing drizzle for an apple bundt cake that I will be sharing later in the week.  But I only needed about 1/3 of the recipe for that.  So the rest went on everything I could get my hands on!

       I made some sweet apple cider waffles and topped them with a drizzle of this cider caramel, a bit of fresh whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Oh. My. Stars. If heaven were a waffle, that would totally be it!  I also put some on some of MiMi's homemade vanilla ice cream. MMMM! Heck I *may* have even drizzled some on my oatmeal.  (I totally did that and it was delicious!)

     This yummy caramel sauce is a great drizzling consistency when it is warm or at room temperature, but would also make a great dip for apple slices (or pretzels, or graham crackers, or fingers and spoons!) when served cold. If you only try one new recipe this fall, this should be the one!!

Printable Recipe

Apple Cider Caramel Sauce

makes between 2-3 cups of caramel sauce

Ingredients:

2 cups apple cider
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 tsp vanilla bean paste (extract would be fine)

1. In a heavy-bottomed sauce pan (I love using my enameled cast iron saucier for this type of recipe), bring the apple cider to a low boil.  Keeping an eye on it to be sure it doesn't burn, reduce down to 1/4 cup.  
2. Stir in butter until melted.  Incorporate the brown sugar, cream and salt.  Bring to a simmer and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.  Allow mixture to cool then transfer to serving vessel or storage container.
4. This caramel will keep well in the refrigerator and will be a thick dipping consistency when cold.  At room temperature it is more of a glazing or drizzling consistency. 

Monday: Appetizers and Drinks

Apple Brie Roll Up  by Family Around the Table
Apple Cider Margaritas by A Palatable Pastime

Apple Cheddar Pinwheels by Cooking With Carlee
Apple Pie Martini by Amy's Cooking Adventures
Apple Pie Smoothie by Feeding Big
Caramel Apple Float by Jolene's Recipe Journal
Caramel Apple Martini by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Caramel Appletini by The Speckled Palate
Hot and Boozy Caramel Apple Cider by Love My Messy Messy Mess
Hot Fireball Apple Cider by Grumpy's Honeybunch
Mulled Apple Shrub Mule by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Pumpkin Spice Crockpot Apple Sauce by I Say Nomato
Red Hot Apple Cider by New South Charm
Roasted Apple and Acorn Squash Soup by Caroline's Cooking
Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks

Tuesday: Main Dishes and Sides

Apple Cheddar Grilled Cheese by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures

Apple Cider Bread by I Say Nomato
Apple-Glazed Pork Chops with Raisins by Love My Messy Messy Mess

Apple Streusel Muffins by Family Around The Table
Chicken Salad with Apples and Cranberries by Feeding Big
Chopped Apple Salad by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Fall Apples Become Yummy Applesauce for the Year by Crafty Mama in ME
Harvest Brats with Apple Slaw by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
Sausage Stuffed Apples by A Palatable Pastime
Sage Pork Chops with Apple Pan Gravy by Amy's Cooking Adventures
Scalloped Apples Casserole by Red Cottage Chronicles
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork by Cooking With Carlee
Southern Style Fried Apples by New South Charm

Wednesday: Sweet Treats

Apple and Nut Drop Cookies by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Apple Brown Betty by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids

Apple Cider Caramel Sauce by Cooking With Carlee
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bread by Feeding Big
Apple Dumplings by A Palatable Pastime
Apple Oatmeal Cookies by Jolene's Recipe Journal
Apple Pie & Cinnamon Things by Crafty Mama in ME
Apple Pie in a Jar by Grumpy's Honeybunch
Baked Apples with Chocolate and Caramel by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Brown Butter Apples by Cricket's Confections
Mini Apple Pie with Cheddar Crust by Amy's Cooking Adventures
Nana's Apple Pie by The Crumby Cupcake
Sparkling Cider Pound Cake by Family Around The Table

Thursday: Apple Projects

Apple Bacon Jam by Caroline's Cooking

Apple Cinnamon Pancake Mix in a Jar by A Palatable Pastime

Apple Cinnamon Stovetop Potpourri by Amy's Cooking Adventures

Apple Suncatchers by Crafty Mama in ME

Caramel Apple in a Jar by Family Around The Table

Knit Apple Hat by Jolene's Recipe Journal

Friday: Anything Apple Goes

1 Minute Caramel Apple Dip by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids

Apple Brown Betty by A Palatable Pastime

Apple Bundt Cake With Cider Caramel by Cooking With Carlee
Apple Cinnamon Shortcakes by Jolene's Recipe Journal
Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Apple Fritters by Grumpy's Honeybunch
Apple Pie Skillet by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Caramelized Apple and Bacon Jam Crostini by Caroline's Cooking
Creamy Peanut Butter Apple Dip by New South Charm
Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Apple and Peppered Bacon by Feeding Big

Individual Apple Crisp by Family Around The Table
Smoky Apple Pulled Pork by Amy's Cooking Adventures

Slow Cooker Apple Butter by The Crumby Cupcake