Apple Cider Caramel

I found the recipe on Cookies and Cups... and knew I wanted to make some to go with the baked doughnuts that are coming up next!

Ingredients
1 cup apple cider
1 cup light brown sugar
½ cup salted butter, cut into cubes and room temperature
¼ cup heavy cream, room temperature
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

1. On medium-high heat, bring cider to a boil on the stovetop.
2. Boil for ~12 minutes.  It should be reduced to about 1/4 cup.
3. Add in sugar, butter, cream, cinnamon, and salt.  Stir until combined.
4. Boil for 2-3 more minutes.
5. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
6. Cool.

Lake of molten caramel

An apology, a promise, and a teaser for things to come very soon!

So... You've probably noticed that it's been ages since I posted.  Life got a wee bit chaotic for me and work has been intense (in a good way)... so I have had very little time or (if I'm being really honest) energy for baking at all.

But it's October.  It's Autumn.  This is my favorite season (even if Arizona weather isn't cooperating).  So.... an apology for being so absent, in the form of my favorite thing: fresh apple cider and the things we can make with it.

I haven't found good apple cider here yet, so I'm saving my hot spiced cider recipe for later.  For now, I grabbed a gallon of the store brand (after making sure it was really cider and only cider).

Things I'm planning on making:

• Apple Cider Caramel (yes, really)
• Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts (probably doughnut holes since I don't have a doughnut pan at the moment)
• I'm still on the hunt for a molasses cake doughnut recipe - My grandfather used to get us some from somewhere in Maine and, although I haven't had them in years, I still crave them.  (When I say years, I mean like... 20-30 years probably).
• Hot Spiced Cider (with a twist) once I find a local cider
• Maybe I'll entertain the idea of making my own cider...

**Funny side note: I've now written "Cider" so many times, it looks wrong...