Happy Holiday Cider Recipes

Steps:

• Place first four ingredients in a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Place spices on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose spices; tie securely with string. Add to slow cooker., Cook, covered, on low until heated through, 3-4 hours. Discard spice bag. Serve warm.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degree F.
• Insert about half the cloves into 2 baking apples.
• Place the apples in a 2-quart square baking dish.
• Add the water.
• Bake apples, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
• Add crab apples, if desired.
• Bake an additional 25 to 30 minutes or until apples and crab apples are tender; cool slightly.
• Halve or quarter baking apples.
• Set aside.
• Meanwhile, squeeze juice from oranges and lemons (you should have 1-1/3 cups orange juice and 3/4 cup lemon juice).
• In a 4-quart Dutch oven combine orange and lemon juices, apple cider, sugar, cinnamon, remaining cloves, allspice, and nutmeg. Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
• Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove whole cloves and stick cinnamon from cider mixture.
• To serve, place apples in a large heat-proof punch bowl; carefully pour cider mixture into bowl.

Steps:

• Stir apple cider, cranberry juice, amaretto, and cinnamon together in a large pot over medium-low heat to heat through and let flavors meld, about 10 minutes.

Steps:

• Pierce orange with cloves. (If you have a tea infuser, tea bag or cheese cloth, you can use that to keep the spices under control).
• Pierce apple with allspice.
• Put the orange, apple, cinnamon sticks, apple cider, brown sugar and nutmeg into your slow cooker.
• Turn on high for 2 hours, then keep warm on low until you're ready to drink.
• Drink as is or with a shot (or two) of whiskey, rum, etc.
• Enjoy!