In the Sierra Foot Hills, about an hours drive outside Sacramento, is a place known as Apple Hill. Come here on any Autumn day and you’ll find about 50 ranchers sharing not only their many varieties of apples, but apple pie, apple strudel, apple jelly, and apple bread.
You’ll also find pumpkins and crafts, music and pony rides, wineries, and pure unprocessed apple juice. That’s the kind that would make this Vanilla Cider perfect! Fresh, farm picked, unprocessed apple cider. But I haven’t made it to Apple Hill this year, YET! So I picked up a bottle from the grocery store to make this perfect seasonal treat. Warm Vanilla Cider by Martha Stewart!
I love to make cider in the crockpot too. Perfect for days like Thanksgiving or Christmas, the crockpot keeps it warm all day and it’s ready for drinking when your family and friends are. Or how about having a nice warm drink when you get back from apple picking? The crockpot and this recipe can help!
The Honeyed Walnuts were a great addition to this. I loved the flavor of the sweet from the honey and the salty from the course sea salt. It would also make a perfect sprinkling on top of a salad, with lets say, apple slices?
Warm Vanilla Cider
By Martha Stewart
6 Cups fresh apple cider
2 TBSP packed brown sugar
2 whole nutmeg seeds
1 Vanilla Bean-split and scraped
6 0z Bourbon (optional)
Whipped Cream
Honeyed Walnuts
In a medium saucepan, combine ingredients. Gently simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and discard solids. Divide among 6 heatproof glasses and top with with a dollop of whipped cream and a few honey walnuts.
Honeyed Walnuts Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine 1 cup walnuts with 3 TBSP honey and a pinch of course sea salt in a bowl. Toss to coat and spread on a parchment lined baking tray. Bake tossing occasionally until toasted, about 15 minutes Let cool.
Makes 6 cup.
Time: 15 minutes.
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I liked this cider alot! Yours looks very decadent with the whipped cream and honeyed walnuts. I left both of them off of mine and can't wait to make it again so that I can add them next time!
Apple Hill sounds like a place I would love to visit! The picture of the whipped cream dripping down is great! I just want to lick it up!
What a warm and comforting drink. Looks wonderful.
Your cider looks beautiful. Apple Hill sounds wonderful. I do love apple cider and this one is special!
Wow, beautiful pic! I'm in love with a warm cider too. For the first time last year, we made mulled wine, which is kinda similar. The crockpot worked wonders there too
Your photos are mouth-watering!!
Josh lives by Apple Hill. His mom's house is on a windy road with all of those orchards. We stopped at a few and stocked up. The apples are the best! What a great fall treat!
Your photos are gorgeous and have made your cider irresistible. I'm heading to the kitchen now. Have a great evening.
What a gorgeous cider recipe. I am so in the mood for this! Loved these pictures!
Gorgeous, delicious photo! And boy does this every sound good. Never would have thought to add whipped cream on top of cider. Wow!!
This looks sooooo good and soooo warming!
Apple cider sounds so good with vanilla and very decadent with whipped cream and walnuts on top!
i've been craving apple cider so bad!! I need to get to a local farm and grab some
I've also been meaning to make it out to Apple Hill… some day soon. This cider looks awesome, especially since the temps in Reno have been plummeting lately. Thanks for sharing!
What a fancy cider! Looks real yummy with those walnuts!
What a fancy cider! Looks real yummy with those walnuts!
Yours looks so good especially because you can actually see the cider in your glasses! I personally loved the nuts. I was nibbling them the rest of the night.
That looks like good stuff.. Michigan and apples go way back! Ever made hard cider, the old fashioned way? Tastes like lighter fluid- but it will get you to the Magic Kingdom pronto!
Your cider does look so warm and inviting. Apple Hill sounds terrific! I love apples!
I really like the walnuts you put on top too!
I am needing a cup of this right now.
This is perfect on a cold night like tonight:)
I don't know that I've had apple cider but I've made those walnuts (& w/pecans) and they are delish!
~ingrid
great recipe cant wait to try this!