This weekend is a GREAT time for APPLE INSPIRED ACTIVITIES.
I don't know where you live, but here on the EAST COAST it will be close to 90 degrees! IN OCTOBER...I LOVE IT!! So... outdoor activities are definitely on our list...At the top of my list is a visit to an apple orchard where they make fresh apple cider
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| HOT MULLED APPLE CIDER |
Hot Mulled Cider Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 gallon of fresh, unfiltered apple cider
- 1 orange
- 15 cloves
- 4 3-inch sticks of cinnamon
- 15 allspice berries
- 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
- 7 pods of cardamon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
METHOD
1 Pour apple cider into a 3-quart saucepan, cover, turn the heat on medium-high. While cider is heating up, take a vegetable peeler and peel away a couple thick strips of peel from the orange. Press about half of the cloves into the peeled part of the orange. (You can also just quarter the orange and add the slices and cloves separately. I just like seeing the orange bob up and down.) Place orange, orange peel strips, the remaining cloves, and the rest of the ingredients into the sauce pan with the cider. Keep covered and heat the mulled cider mixture to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes on low heat.
2 Use a fine mesh sieve to strain the hot mulled cider away from the orange, cloves, and other spices. If you want, you can add a touch of bourbon, brandy, or rum to spike it up a bit. Serve hot. Add a cinnamon stick to each cup if desired.
Makes 8 cups.
Because it will be so warm this weekend, I'm definitely making this cool and refreshing Sangria!
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| APPLE CIDER SANGRIA |
Recipe from www.nutmegnanny.com
as well as HOME MADE APPLE CIDER DONUTS!!
BAKED APPLE CIDER DOUGHNUTS
Yields 9 doughnuts and about 20 doughnut holes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
These light and fluffy doughnuts get extra flavor from finely diced apple folded into the dough. Quickly frying them in a pan after baking gives these doughnuts a crispy exterior without the added fat and helps the cinnamon and sugar coating to stick. These doughnuts are best enjoyed straight out of the pan – they tend to deflate a little after sitting too long.
You can purchase a special doughnut cutter or doughnut pan for neater looking doughnuts, but differently sized cookie cutters will also work. I used a drinking glass to cut my larger circles and a shot glass to cut out the holes.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Apple Cider
- 2 tablespoons Butter, softened
- 1/4 cup (Approx. 2 ounces) Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 1/4 cup Milk
- 2 cups (Approx. 10 ounces) All Purpose Flour, plus additional for dusting
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1 Apple, cut into a 1/8-inch dice (about 1 cup)
- 1/4 cup Oil for frying
- Cinnamon and Sugar for dusting
PREPARATION
- Pour the apple cider into a small pan set over high heat. Bring to a boil and allow to reduce by half. Set aside to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg, then mix in the reduced cider and milk.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir half of the flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Fold in the diced apple, then mix in the remaining flour.
- Generously flour a one foot square piece of parchment paper or aluminum foil. Turn the dough out onto the paper. Flour the top of the dough and use your hands to press/flatten it into a 1/2-inch thick disk. Chill for 15 minutes to help the dough firm up.
- Heat oven to 425F. Remove the dough from the fridge and cut into doughnut shapes using a doughnut cutter, cookie cutters, or a glass. Cut additional “holes” from the scraps of dough left over.
- Carefully transfer each doughnut and the “holes” to a baking sheet likes with parchment or a silpat. Bake at 425F for 10 minutes.
- Optional: For a crispier exterior, heat the oil in shallow frying pan until very hot. Cook doughnuts for 10 seconds on each side, or until lightly browned. Dust with cinnamon and sugar while they are still hot. Enjoy!
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| APPLE VOTIVE HOLDERS
Materials needed to make apple candle holders:
How to make apple candle holders for fall home decor:
STEP 1 - Hold a votive candle on top of your apple. Using a toothpick, poke holes into the apple so that you'll form an outline of the size of the candle.
STEP 2 - Use a paring knife to cut along the dotted line and cut about 3/4 of the way into the apple.
STEP 3 - Use the melon baller to scoop out the insides. Get the inside of the apple as smooth as you can. Rub the interior with lemon juice to keep it from turning brown.
STEP 4 - Place a votive candle inside the apple.
That's all there is to it! Make several apple candle holders and arrange them on a platter and enjoy the scent, the atmosphere and , OF COURSE. the Apple Cider donuts and your choice of Hot Mulled Cider or Apple Cider Sangria!
MY CHOICE IS THE SANGRIA!
WHAT TASTY CIDER DRINK WILL YOU ENJOY?
ENJOY A HAPPY WEEKEND!
Don't forget to visit our HOLIDAY GIFT BOUTIQUE!
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