Load the Slow Cooker: Pour the entire gallon of pure unfiltered apple cider into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Stir in the caramel sauce and dark brown sugar until partially dissolved.

Add Fresh Citrus and Whole Spices: Arrange sliced orange wheels and apple wedges over the cider. Add the cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, whole cloves, allspice berries, and cracked nutmeg. (Pro tip: Studding the orange rinds with the cloves keeps them contained for effortless ladling!).

Slow Simmer to Fragrant Perfection: Cover with the slow cooker lid and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours (or on HIGH for 2 hours) until steam escapes with an intoxicating holiday aroma and the spices have deeply infused into the sweet cider.

Hold at Warm for Gatherings: Switch slow cooker setting to "WARM". The cider can remain safely on warm for up to 5 hours, making your entire home smell like a cozy autumn orchard while guests serve themselves.

Ladle and Garnish: Stir gently with a ladle. Ladle hot spiced cider into heat-safe glass mugs. Top each serving with a swirl of whipped cream, a golden caramel drizzle, and a cinnamon stick stirrer with a star anise on top. Serve immediately!