Spiced Caramel Apple Cider In Apple Cups~

One of my favorite things about Fall is spiced apple cider, particularly to serve on Thanksgiving.

 

 All you have to
do is slice off the top of an apple and then scoop it out using a melon scoop.

(Serves 12)


12 cups apple cider
1/4 cup orange juice
Peel (orange part only) from 1 orange, cut into strips
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon (packed) brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole cloves
2 whole allspice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Pinch of salt

Mix first 10 ingredients in large saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer mixture 30 minutes to blend flavors. Strain mulled cider into carved apples.


TIP 1: Save one of your carved apples for caramel dip. Serve with sliced apples as a great snack to enjoy while waiting on Thanksgiving dinner to cook.


TIP 2: Since melon scoops are typically used to scoop out perfect balls of fruit, save a few, dunk them into caramel and serve as mini-caramel apples. Stick a pretzel into the apple to make an edible lollipop stick.