DOLCE DIET LIFESTYLE:
Apple Cider & Other Holiday Slow Cooker Recipes
by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD
These wintry slow cooker recipes will help you get into the spirit of the season. Be sure to post pictures of your creations to our Facebook page, Twitter, and tag us on Instagram!
Apple Cider (Yes, the drink)
Ingredients
• 9 medium apples, assorted types (I used a mixture of red, yellow and green apples)
• 1 orange
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 whole nutmeg
• 2 tsp. whole cloves
• ½ tsp. whole allspice (optional)
• 12-16 cups water
• 1/3 – 2/3 cup coconut sugar
Directions
1. Wash apples and the orange, and then roughly cut into quarters.
2. Place in the bowl of your slow cooker and add cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves and allspice.
3. Cover with water, filling the slow cooker until it is nearly full.
4. Cook on high heat for 3-4 hours, or on low heat for 6-8 hours.
5. About an hour before the cider is done cooking, use a potato masher to mash the apple and orange slices once they are soft.
6. Finish cooking for one more hour.
7. Strain out the apple cider juice into a clean pitcher or pot.
Cinnamon Almonds
Ingredients
• 1 ½ cup coconut sugar
• 1 ½ cup brown sugar
• 3 tbsp. cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1 egg white
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 3 cups almonds
• ¼ cup water
Directions
1. Mix together sugars, cinnamon, and salt.
2. In another bowl with a whisk, mix together egg white and vanilla until frothy.
3. Add the almonds and coat thoroughly.
4. Combine the sugar mixture with your coated almonds.
5. Prepare slow cooker by greasing with coconut oil.
6. Add the cinnamon almond mixture slow cooker.
7. Cook for 4 hours on low, stirring every 20 minutes.
8. In the last hour, add ¼ cup water and stir well.
9. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the almonds onto the sheet to cool.
Apple & Sweet Potato Casserole
Serves 8
Ingredients
• 3.5 – 4 lbs. sweet potatoes
• 2 medium apples
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. nutmeg
• ½ tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. unsalted, grass-fed butter (optional)
• ½ cup almond milk
• ½ cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped
Directions
1. Scrub and peel sweet potatoes, and chop into 1-inch cubes and place in slow cooker.
2. Peel apples and chop into 1-inch pieces and add to slow cooker.
3. Add water, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
4. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 3.5 hours, or until sweet potatoes are soft.
5. Use potato masher to mash potatoes and apples until smooth.
6. Add butter and almond milk, and stir until well combined.
7. Sprinkle pecans and set slow cooker to “warm” for serving.
