Apple Cider Bourbon Caramel ~ #SundaySupper

Apple cider and bourbon create a new twist on an old classic.

I’m back from vacation!

Being back home is sad and lovely all at the same time. Honestly, if we stayed in Charleston any longer, we wouldn’t have wanted to come back. I literally ate just about everything Charleston had to offer. Hands down, my favorite Charleston dish was collard greens. You guys, they were top notch. I ate collards every single day–no lie.

Squirrel and I did a ton of fun stuff. We went on a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city and learned some fun facts from our very knowledgeable tour guide. We ate. Oh, boy did we eat. I mean, we ate everything. If you’re looking for a foodcation, Charleston is the place to go.

We didn’t rent a car; instead, we decided to save the money and hike our way through the town. It’s not a huge town, but when you’re walking it every day, you get some exercise. It worked out great, considering I ate just about everything in sight. The cobblestone streets just about killed me. I must have tripped and almost broke my ankles on several occasions. Do not wear heels in Charleston. I took one pair and they stayed stowed away in my luggage the entire time. Wearing heels in Charleston is like asking for a visit from death. One slip on the cobblestone, and you’re a goner.

I’ll be posting our trip in photos next week, so stay tuned for more on our foodcation.

This week’s #SundaySupper is all about sauces. My favorite sauce is caramel. The sweet, sticky, gooey sauce tastes like burnt sugar and goes great on just about anything sweet.

I decided to jazz things up a bit and make an apple cider bourbon caramel sauce. I know, right. Bourbon!

In my humble opinion, bourbon makes everything better. It takes an ordinary recipe and adds depth. I love cooking and baking with it, so I always have a bottle in my cabinet.

The apple cider adds a lovely sweet tang to the caramel. The flavor is unlike any other caramel sauce I’ve ever made. The bourbon adds hints of oak an vanilla. The combination is decadent.

Drizzle it over apples, and you have yourself a sweet treat.

This has to be the easiest recipe for caramel that I’ve ever made. You’ll begin by reducing the apple cider. Reducing it concentrates the tangy apple flavor. Concentration equals flavor, and we’re all about flavor here on The Messy Baker.

After the cider reduces, you add the butter, brown sugar, and cream. Let it get all happy and bubbly. Allow the mixture to come to a steady bubble and whisk for 2 minutes. Take the mixture off the heat and stir in your bourbon. DO NOT stir in the alcohol while the pot is over the heat. That’s a big no. We don’t want your house catching on fire. Always remove the pot from the heat before adding any alcohol to your recipe. Got it. Great!

I don’t want anyone blaming The Messy Baker for a house fire. So, remove before booze. That’s our new motto.

You’ll want to eat this caramel every single day of your life from here on out. You’re welcome.

Apple Cider Bourbon Caramel Recipe Type: Sauce Author: Jennie Cook time: Total time: Serves: 8 Ounces Adapted from Southern Living Ingredients

• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 stick butter, salted or unsalted
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon bourbon

Instructions

1. Cook cider in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cider reduces to 1/4 cup, about 8-10 minutes.
2. Turn the heat up to medium-high and add butter, sugar, and cream. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. The mixture should boil vigorously for 2 full minutes.
3. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the bourbon. Cool the mixture completely. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
4. To reheat, microwave for 10-15 seconds.

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Don’t forget to visit the other saucy recipes:

Savory Sauces

• Port Wine and Fig Sauce from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Jalepeno Cranberry Sauce from Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
• Homemade Steak Sauce from Juanita’s Cocina
• Tomato Kasundi from What Smells So Good?
• Homemade Tartar Sauce from The Foodie Army Wife
• Creamy Dairyfree Mushroom Sauce from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Homemade Teriyaki Sauce from Curious Cuisiniere
• Red Wine Sauce | Molho de Vinho Tinto from Family Foodie
• Guava BBQ Sauce from Basic N Delicious

Pasta Sauces and Pastas with Sauce

• Chardonnay Seafood Sauce (with Linguine) from Country Girl in the Village
• Italian-Style Tomato Sauce from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Homemade Guiltless Alfredo Sauce from Momma’s Meals
• Sicilian Marinara Sauce from Growing Up Gabel
• Basil Pesto from Take A Bite Out of Boca
• Angel Hair Pasta with Neapolitan Sauce from Cookin’ Mimi
• Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce from Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Lentil Marinara Pasta Sauce from Alida’s Kitchen
• Lamb Ragout from Maroc Mama
• Black Walnut Kale Pesto with Zucchini Spaghetti from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Amatriciana Sauce from The Weekend Gourmet

Entreés with Sauces

• Chicken Tikka Masala from I Run For Wine
• Pork Tenderloin with Plum Sauce from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Garlic Mushrooms In Red Wine Sauce from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
• Jack Daniel’s Honey Barbecue Baked Wings from Chocolate Moosey
• Salmon with Homemade Caper Onion Mayonnaise from Food Lust People Love
• Chicken with Mushroom Demi-Glace from Crazy Foodie Stunts
• Mrs. A’s Skillet Lemon Chicken from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Philly Strip Steaks with Provolone Sauce and Caramelized Onions from The Texan New Yorker
• Sweet & Sour Garlic Chicken Wings from Big Bear’s Wife

Sweet Sauces

• Banana Pudding Sauce from Killer Bunnies, Inc
• Raspberry Red Wine Sauce from Treats & Trinkets
• Pumpkin Applesauce from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Sauce from Daily Dish Recipes
• Slow Cooker Applesauce from Citronlimette
• Apple Cider Caramel Sauce from The Messy Baker
• Port Wine Cranberry Sauce from Webicurean
• Pumpkin Caramel Sauce from Noshing With The Nolands

Desserts with Sauces

• Sticky Toffee Pudding w/ Toffee Sauce from girlichef
• Salted Bourbon Caramel Sauce (over Chocolate Rosemary Cake) from Gotta Get Baked
• Pear Tatin with Rum Caramel Sauce from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Bananas Foster from MidLife Road Trip
• Baked Espresso Berry Pudding from The Urban Mrs
• Caramel Apple Sheet Cake from Pies and Plots

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