Starbucks at Home

We are quickly becoming a nation where Starbucks could almost be our national symbol. There is practically one on every corner, and millions of Americans visit each day, sometimes multiple times, to indulge in their favorite beverage. I won't lie, their coffee isn't really something I enjoy. I find it to be too strong, no matter how much cream I add. And I will also admit, while we do frequent Starbucks once in a while, we really like to support our local coffee shop more often than the national phenomenon. About 2 minutes from our house is a great locally owned shop, The New Ground Coffee Company; and if you are ever in my neck of the woods, you HAVE to try them out. They have a great selection of coffees, blended drinks, and more ice tea flavors that Baskin Robins has ice cream! But one treat I have not been able to find anywhere else, and start to crave this time of the year, is the Caramel Apple Spice. If you've never had one, think caramel apple meets mulled cider with a little whipped cream thrown in for fun. It is hands down my favorite Starbucks drink of all time, and  I could drink 3 per day if I had extra money to blow! (And let's face it, a lot of $$$ b/c their prices are not cheap) So imagine my thrill when I stumbled upon this copy cat version on A Year of Slow Cooking last year! I don't remember when I found it, but I do remember downloading it to my computer for future use. Well, about April I switched computers w/ my husband (I still miss my Mac) and didn't remember to retain my recipe files before I did. GASP! I know! So this never got a second thought until the chill was back in the air and I was driving to Starbucks to get my first Caramel Apple Spice of the season and though "Wait, I can make these at home". I found the recipe on the site once again, thank goodness, and now I can have this treat at home any time I want, for much less cash. Plus, Alex loves to warm up w/ it after a rainy day at school! Each of us deserves to indulge and splurge on a special treat every now and then; but when the wallet is a little thin, or I just don't feel like leaving the house, I'm so happy to treat myself in my own kitchen!

Caramel Apple Spice from A Year of Slow Cooking


4 c. apple cider
1/2 TBS cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
3 TBS caramel syrup (ice cream topping)
Whipped Cream (optional)

Place cider, cinnamon, cloves and syrup in crock pot. Stir well. Cook on low 4 hours. Refrigerate leftovers and reheat in microwave.

*NOTE* When I get these at Starbucks, the caramel flavor isn't over powering. More of just a hint of sweet in the background. Plus I didn't want to go too sweet for Alex. So, if you want a more pronounced caramel flavor I would add 4-5 TBS.

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