Level up your pancakes for fall with this apple cider syrup! It’s made super simply – by boiling just 3 ingredients together until concentrated into a lovely, apple-cinnamon-spiced syrup.

I’m willing to bet you’ll love how easy this apple syrup is – and love how good it is, too! It’s so nice to have this apple syrup in the fridge all fall and winter long as an alternative (or accompaniment!) to maple syrup.

Table of Contents

The Story Behind the Recipe

I’ve been making this apple cider syrup for years! In fact, it is one of the very first recipes I ever shared on my blog, over a decade ago (!!!), back when I had a blog called The Hazel Bloom that was more home decor and craft projects along with a little cooking. I quickly learned that people like recipes best, and that’s when I decided to focus on recipes exclusively, eventually becoming Kitchen Treaty!

But I digress and apologize for that little trip down memory lane.

So originally, I shared this apple cider syrup recipe along with these applesauce pancakes. I loved (and still love) the double apple combo, but there is something especially wonderful about this apple cider syrup, so I thought it deserved its own write-up.

Why You’ll Love Apple Cider Syrup

Not only is it great on pancakes and waffles, apple cider syrup is also wonderful in baked goods for concentrated apple flavor.

It also makes a most excellent Starbucks copycat apple crisp macchiato. Just saying. Should I share a recipe for that soon? I suppose if it give me an excuse to test apple crisp macchiatos for days on end, I’m enthusiastically in.

Three ingredients for apple cider syrup include apple cider, cinnamon sticks, and brown sugar.

Ingredients

  • Apple cider – Any apple cider will do. I have been using spiced apple cider from Trader Joe’s lately and the extra kick of mulling spices is so good (and it makes the house smell amazing!) You can use apple juice instead of apple cider, but it will take longer to thicken – I find it’s about 10 to 15 minutes longer. Apple juice doesn’t end up having as much concentrated apple flavor, either.
  • Brown sugar – This is a brown sugar apple syrup recipe, for a rich and decadent syrup. Light or dark brown sugar will do. The difference between the two is the amount of molasses – there is a bit more in dark brown sugar. The extra molasses will result in subtly deeper flavor and a darker color if you opt for dark brown sugar.
  • Cinnamon stick – A cinnamon stick (or two) gives this apple syrup lots of flavor without clouding it up like ground cinnamon would. Which, by the way, it’s totally fine to use ground spices (see “Adaptations/Variations” section) but I’d suggest definitely straining your syrup to remove any gritty bits.

Adaptations/Variations

  • Apple Pie Syrup: Add 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice.
  • Add more spices: Nutmeg, a pinch of cloves and/or allspice, and/or ground cinnamon are all welcome, here. Even some pumpkin pie spice is great, if you’re willing to mix fall food spices!

How to Make Apple Cider Syrup

It’s so, so, so very easy to make apple cider syrup. Just mix the apple cider and brown sugar together in a medium saucepan, add the cinnamon stick(s), and bring it to a boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer the apple syrup until it’s reduced a lot – to about 1/3 of its original volume. It will look visibly thicker and lightly coat the back of the spoon, but it won’t be true syrup consistency until it cools.

Let it cool completely, then pour it into an airtight container, syrup bottle, or mason jar for storage.

Tips for Success

  • Don’t cover the pan. You want the water in the cider to evaporate, leaving concentrated flavor behind.
  • The syrup will thicken as it cools. If it doesn’t look quite “syrupy” enough after it has reduced, no worries! It will thicken completely as it cools.

I hope you love this apple cider syrup recipe as much as we do! It’s just concentrated apple cinnamon goodness, the best of fall flavors all rolled into one, and so good on so many things.

More Homemade Syrup Recipes

5 from 2 votes

Apple Cider Syrup

Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 1 hour 13 minutes
Author: Kare
Yield: 8
Warmly spiced and full of fall flavor, this apple cider syrup is amazing on pancakes, waffles, French toast, or in lattes! Best of all, it only takes 3 ingredients and about 30 minutes (of mostly hands-off time) to make.
Print Pin Rate

Ingredients

  • 2 cups apple cider*
  • 1 cup light brown sugar (dark brown sugar works fine, too)
  • 1 or 2 3-inch cinnamon sticks (use 2 for extra cinnamon flavor)

Instructions

  • Set a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the cider and brown sugar and mix together. Add the cinnamon stick(s) – one is fine, but you can add two for more cinnamon flavor. , combine the cider and brown sugar, then add the cinnamon stick.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and continue simmering, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes until the mixture is reduced by about 2/3. Remove from heat and let cool. It will thicken as it cools.
  • Store in an airtight mason jar or other container in the fridge for a month or more.

Notes

Yield is about 1 cup of syrup, or 8 (2-tablespoon) servings. 
Substitution note: You can use apple juice instead of apple cider, but it will take longer to thicken – I find it’s about 10 to 15 minutes longer. Apple juice doesn’t end up having as much concentrated apple flavor, either. 

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2tablespoons, Calories: 1079kcal, Carbohydrates: 278g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 82mg, Potassium: 815mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 259g, Vitamin A: 36IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 326mg, Iron: 3mg

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