Name: Wassail
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 4 qt.
Ingredients: 6 small honeycrisp apples; 6 tbsp. dark brown sugar, plus more to taste; 1 tsp. ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp. ground ginger; 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg; 1/4 tsp. ground allspice; 1 gal. apple cider, divided; 1 navel orange; 10 whole cloves; 2 lemons; 2 cinnamon sticks, plus more for serving; 3 star anise pods; 1 c. cranberry juice cocktail; Bourbon or brandy, for serving (optional); Fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed, for serving (optional)

Step 1Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 2Using a paring knife, cut out the core and stem of each apple, leaving about the bottom 1/2 inch of each apple intact. Using a small spoon or grapefruit spoon, scoop out any remaining core and seeds to form a cavity in each apple. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Divide the brown sugar mixture among each apple cavity, firmly packing it as necessary.

Step 3In the bottom of a pie plate or baking pan, pour 1 cup of the apple cider. Place the prepared apples in the pan. Bake until the apples are very tender and collapsing, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Step 4Meanwhile, cut the orange in half crosswise and stick the whole cloves in the peel. Cut one lemon in half and thinly slice the second lemon.

Step 5In a large pot, add the prepared orange, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, and the remaining apple cider. Squeeze the halved lemon into the pot and add the sliced lemon. Over medium-high heat, bring the mixture to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until aromatic, 1 hour.

Step 6Add the cranberry juice and the cooked apples with any of their juices to the pot and stir to combine. Taste for sweetness and add more brown sugar, if you like. Serve hot or warm, with alcohol of choice, cranberries, and a cinnamon stick, if you like.

Wassail

Ingredients

Directions

Drinks