Spiced Caramel Cider

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 My mom and dad made this Spiced Caramel Cider last and it was DELICIOUS. 

1/2 c. sugar

3 Tbsp. water

1 Tbsp. butter

1/3 cup whipping cream

5 whole allspice

5 whole cloves

2 three-inch cinnamon sticks

10 c. apple cider or apple juice

1/4 c. fresh orange juice

1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Cinnamon sticks (optional garnish)

In a small saucepan on medium-low heat, combine sugar and water. While stirring, cook until sugar melts. Without stirring, cook an additional 5 minutes or until golden. Remove your saucepan from heat and let it stand for one minute. Stir in butter until it melts, then gradually add your whipping cream, stirring constantly until your caramel sauce is smooth.

Wrap your allspice, cloves, and cinnamon sticks in a double layer of cheesecloth and tie off (you are creating something like a tea bag). In a 4 qt. electric slow cooker, add your cider, orange juice, and caramel sauce. Stir until your caramel sauce dissolves. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours before removing cheesecloth bag and stirring in your lemon juice.

In other news, I have been completely out of commission these last two days. Josh took me to an urgent care center this morning, and without going into all of the gory details, I was diagnosed with acute bronchitis that may be starting to turn into pneumonia. Not fun, and definitely not how I want to spend my holiday break!