Crock Pot Caramel Apple Pie Spice

My first job was as a barista at the local Starbucks.  I had no clue what I was doing.  Thinking back it was pretty embarrasing at first.  The first three months I was a mess.  Then one day all of the recipes, people, and motivation just clicked.  I couldn't get enough of work after that point lol.  I knew all of the regulars and their orders.  I became the shift supervisor.  I made a ton of friends and made some of the best memories!  I truly miss it!  I can't walk into Starbucks now without feeling a little sad.

It has been several years and I don't order from their as often as I use to. It can get a little pricey. I still crave some of my favorites quite often though.  One of them being the Caramel Apple Spice.  Some think it is cider but really it just steamed apple juice with some of the really yummy Cinnamon Dulce Syrup. .s  df

Many don't know that you can actually buy the syrup from them! Yep! That's right! For 1 Liter you can buy your own bottle for $13 and then go home and make your own drinks! With this bottle I could make way more Caramel Apple Spices than I could ever dream of!

Thanksgiving is coming up VERY quickly!  The weather has finally decided it's going to stay chilly and I CRAVED this drink!  While I was grocery shopping I came across an Apple Pie flavored juice and my first reaction was "OH MY!!  I HAVE to make Caramel Apple Spice!"

So, I came home and tried it in my crock pot. I only used two main ingredients (....except for all of he yummy optional garnishes). I am preparing for Thanksgiving because I know the entire family will adore this stuff!  My husband and kids tested it out and it was a huge success!  Husband said "This is so good!  The best apple cider I've ever had!".  Even though it's technically not apple cider.... I love responses like that!

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This Caramel Apple Pie Spice was so incredibly comforting. I think I'm ready for all of the holiday madness now :)

                             Crock Pot Caramel Apple Pie Spice

By: Crystal Barrett

 Makes 64 ounces            
                                                        (Click to Print)

Ingredients 

Slow Cooker

1 - 32 oz bottles of Apple Pie Juice from Old Orchard
   ( You can also use regular apple juice if you wish)

1/3 c Cinnamon Dulce Syrup from Starbucks

Caramel Syrup

Whip Cream

Ground Cinnamon (*Optional for garnish)

Directions 

Pour juice and syrup into the slow cooker

Heat on high for 1-2 hours.  When warm enough, turn the slow cooker to warm.

Garnish with whip cream, caramel, and cinnamon.

*  If you have some leftover, put into a pitcher and place in the refrigerator. Reheat when         needed.

*  If you are serving for a larger crowd just double the recipe.  The crock pot has plenty of       room :)

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Gluten Free Dairy Free Apple Cake with Honey Glaze

Apple Cake is one of my favorite desserts! The first time I had it was Christmas Eve and I was only 9 years old!  Unfortunately, it took until now for me to find a recipe to try it again.  Yes, it has been 15 years since I have had it; and guess what? ... It is still my favorite!! 

This Apple Cake tastes just like a cinnamon roll.  Better yet.... one of those cinnamon raisin biscuits from Hardee's. It can be eaten for dessert.... or breakfast ;) and I always pretend it's healthy for me because of the apples.  I can pretend right?

Recently my husband and I have built a new home together.  With a new home there comes a lot of new visitors and entertaining.  Visitors and entertaining is fine by me because I love an excuse to cook!  However, my husbands family has started a gluten free-dairy free diet.  When knowing they are coming for dinner I admit I panic a little.  Thinking of gluten free-dairy free recipes may not seem difficult, but at the moment everything we can think of includes some type of noodle or cheese.  I settle with the easy baked chicken and vegetables.  But what about dessert?  I'm known as the dessert queen so it has to be a killer gluten free dessert!  I automatically wanted to try my apple cake.  This cake has been made completely gluten and dairy free and it is just as scrumptious as before!

I have made this cake 5 times in the last two months!  I'm guessing it's everyone else's favorite now too :)

If you make this Apple Cake, please feel free to come back and leave me a comment telling me what you think!  If you have any suggestions please feel free to share! 

  .

  Gluten Free Dairy Free Apple Cake with Honey Glaze

By: Crystal Barrett

Makes 1 Bundt Pan. About 15 servings.

                                 (Click Here to Print)

                                                                                                    

Ingredients 

Glaze: 

2 cup powdered sugar

4 tbsp. honey

4 tbsp. soy milk

Cake:

3 peeled and diced granny apples

1 cup chopped toasted walnuts (or 1/4 cup Earth's Balance and 1 cup regular chopped walnuts)

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tsp. cinnamon

3 cup gluten free all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 cup sugar

1 1/4 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

You will need 3 large bowls, a small bowl, a mixer, and a bundt pan.

Directions 

1-  Heat oven to 350 and lightly grease bundt pan

2- In a small bowl melt walnuts and 1/2 a stick of unsalted butter in the microwave for             about 2 minutes.  Stir every 30 seconds.

3- In a large bowl mix the diced apples, walnuts, cinnamon, and vanilla.  Set aside.

4- In a separate large bowl mix the flour, baking soda, and salt.  Set this aside as well.

5-  In another large bowl beat the sugar, oil, and eggs for about 2-3 minutes. Add the flour        mix and beat until well combined.  Fold in the apple mixture.

6-  Scrape batter into the bundt pan and bake in the over for 1 hour 30 min or until done. 

7-  Allow to cool for about an hour before dumping the cake onto a plate.

8-  When you have turned the cake out, in a small bowl, mix the

     powdered sugar with the soy milk.  Mix really good with a spoon making sure to                  dissolve all sugar clumps.  Add the honey and stir very well.  Drizzle the glaze over the        Apple Cake.

9- Enjoy!!!

** If you don't want this to be gluten or dairy free:

     Use regular all purpose flour in place of the gluten free

     Use regular milk in place of the soy milk.

     If using Earth's Balance to toast your walnuts, use 1/2 a stick of unsalted butter.

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