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Apple Cider Stars in These Sweet and Savory Fall Recipes

Apple Cider Stars in These Sweet and Savory Fall Recipes

By Zoe Denenberg

September 25, 2019

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Credit: Micah A. Leal

There’s no better way to celebrate the fall than with a warm mug of spiced apple cider (or, for the adults, spiked apple cider). This autumnal beverage can be made at home by combining a few simple ingredients on the stovetop or in the slow cooker. We always keep a jar of our homemade spiced cider mix on hand—not only does it come in handy on cold fall days, but it’s also a great last-minute hostess gift. But let’s face it: more often than not, we’re buying our cider in liters at the local apple orchard, pumpkin patch, or grocery store.But cider doesn’t just make a great seasonal drink. This fall, experiment with using cider in the kitchen to bring a bit of spice and sweetness to your favorite recipes. Cider is starring in some of our beloved fall desserts—did someone say apple cider doughnuts?—but you can find the drink in savory recipes, often paired with pork. Apple cider is the drink of the season, and we’re celebrating with a diverse collection of recipes that incorporate the sweet beverage. From casseroles to cocktails, toast to the season with these creative recipes.

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Make These Recipes Featuring Your Favorite Fall Beverage

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Apple Butter

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Easy Apple Butter

Distill all that lovely seasonal apple flavor into a spreadable, spoonable topping. You can spread this apple butter on toast, cookies, or just about anything.

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Acadian Syrup Cake with Roasted Pears and Caramel Sauce

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Acadian Syrup Cake with Roasted Pears and Caramel Sauce

This vintage spice cake is served with Roasted Pears that have been soaked and stewed in apple cider. It'll make a stunning addition to any fall tablescape.

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Hard Cider-Braised Pork

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Hard-Cider Braised Pork

Put a kick in your weeknight dinner by braising your pork in hard apple cider. Served over rice or noodles, this unique dish is sure to please any guests.

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Bourbon Apple Cider Thyme Punch

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Bourbon Apple Cider Thyme Punch

Use those fresh fall herbs before the garden frosts over.

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Caramelized Onion, Spinach, and Pork Strata

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Caramelized Onion, Spinach, and Pork Strata

Cider adds a splash of sweetness to this fan-favorite savory breakfast casserole. With onions, spinach, and pork, you really can't go wrong.

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Spiced Hard Cider Fizz

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Spiced Hard Cider Fizz

A spiced simple syrup elevates this cocktail to a professional level (at least, that's what all your friends will be saying).

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Sliced Pork Chops with Brown Butter-Golden Raisin Relish

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Sliced Pork Chops with Brown Butter-Golden Raisin Relish

Brown butter, golden raisins, and apple cider form a complex, sweet-and-savory relish that pairs beautifully with simple pork chops.

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Whiskey-Apple Cider Punch

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Whiskey-Apple Cider Punch

Whiskey and apple cider go together like peanut butter and jelly. Plus, this cocktail can be made big-batch for your seasonal soirées.

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Pork-and-Shaved Vegetable Salad

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Pork-and-Shaved Vegetable Salad

Eat the rainbow with this colorful salad. It can be served as a hearty side or a main dish.

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Bourbon and Hard Pear Cider Cocktail

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Bourbon and Hard Pear Cider Cocktail

Who said cider could only be made from apples? This recipe makes use of hard pear cider to match the bold bourbon flavors.

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Apple Fritters with Salted Caramel Sauce

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Apple Fritters with Salted Caramel Sauce

Pillowy, fruity dough drizzled in salted caramel may be the stuff of dreams, but we're bringing it to life with this recipe. These Apple Fritters are certainly dreamy.

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Sorghum-Cider Punch

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Sorghum-Cider Punch

You'll want to use hard cider and apple juice in this extra-seasonal party punch.

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Cranberry-Apple-Ginger Salad

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Cranberry-Apple-Ginger Salad

If you're looking for a holiday side that's lower in sugar than canned cranberry sauce, try this Cranberry-Apple-Ginger Salad. It's naturally sweet from the fruit and the addition of fresh apple cider.

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Sautéed Apple Crisp

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Sautéed Apple Crisp

This dessert delivers a dual approach to apple indulgence, with both fresh apples and apple cider combining into one glorious crisp. Oh, and did we mention it's ready in 10 minutes?

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Orange Spiced Cider

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Orange Spiced Cider

This classic hot spiced cider is kid-friendly, but can be made adults-only with a splash of rum.

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Hearty Oats and Grains

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Cindy Barr

Recipe: Hearty Oats and Grains

Start your morning off right with this fueling oats and grains bowl. Apple cider adds a dash of necessary sweetness to the breakfast favorite.

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Fizzy Cider Punch

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Fizzy Cider Punch

Champagne and cider marry in this punch to create the fall's version of the mimosa. This drink is ready for game day.

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Cranberry-Pecan Chutney

Credit: Photo: Jody Horton

Recipe: Cranberry-Pecan Chutney

Cranberries and pecans? Don't knock it until you've tried it. Spread this chutney on crostini or serve alongside cheese and crackers for a photo-worthy charcuterie spread.

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Mini Apple Cider Pound Cakes

Credit: Brian Woodcock

Recipe: Mini Apple Cider Pound Cakes

If mini pound cakes are wrong, we don't want to be right. These cute miniature treats can be taken on-the-go. The best part? You don't have to share.

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Apple-Ale Wassail

Credit: Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Apple-Ale Wassail

Hot apple cider with a kick. This drink is loaded with lots of spices to create a warm, welcoming cocktail.

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Apple Cider Doughnuts

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Apple Cider Doughnuts

Apple cider doughnuts may just be the snack of the season. These sweet treats are best enjoyed after a trip to the apple orchard or the pumpkin patch.

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By Zoe Denenberg