Caramel Walnut Hot Cider

Imagine your favorite caramel apple in liquid form, spiked with toasted walnuts. This recipe is the essence of autumn coziness: caramelizing sugar and toasting nuts releases deep, roasted aromas that perfectly complement the apple's acidity.
🕒 Prep Time 10 mins
🍳 Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
🍽️ Servings 2 servings
🔥 Calories 310 kcal
🌍 Cuisine International

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Dry skillet (for nuts)
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk

Allergen Information

⚠️ Milk
⚠️ Tree Nuts

Instructions

1

Toast walnuts in dry skillet until fragrant. Chop coarsely.

Tip: Heat activates oils for intense flavor. Watch closely to prevent burning!
2

Pour cider into saucepan, add sugar, cinnamon, cloves. Heat medium 5-10 mins.

Tip: Brown sugar adds molasses notes fitting the caramel profile.
3

Mix cream, vanilla, salt in small bowl.

Tip: Salt is essential for salted caramel effect.
4

Temper cream: Ladle hot cider into cream, mix, then pour back into pot.

Tip: Prevents cold cream from seizing/curdling in hot acid.
5

Heat through (don't boil!), strain spices.

Tip: Boiling separates cream fat.
6

Serve in mugs topped generously with toasted nuts.

Tip: Crunchy nuts vs silky drink is the best part.

Recipe FAQ

Cream curdled?
Happens if cider is too acidic or hot. Use heavy cream (min 30% fat) and never boil.
Which nuts?
Walnuts are classic, pecans add a sweeter, buttery flavor.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Apple Cider
  • 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 whole Cinnamon Stick
  • 3 whole Cloves
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1/4 cup Walnut Halves
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 pinch Salt