Cider Beetles

Instructions

1. Adult Portion:
2. Slices oranges in half and scoop out pulp without breaking the orange rind. Reserve pulp for another use or discard.
3. Place orange halves cut side up (like a bowl) on a wire rack on a baking sheet. Bake at 250F for 2 hours until dry and hard. Let Cool.
4. Kid Portion:
5. Pack brown sugar firmly into each orange half, mounding slightly.
6. Arrange spices in the brown sugar to resemble beetles: use a cinnamon stick as the body, a nutmeg as the head, 2 allspice for the eyes (on each side of the head), and 6-8 cloves for the legs/feet.
7. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator (I keep mine sealed in plastic and in the cupboard).
8. Directions for use:
9. Unwrap the beetle and drop into 1 1/2 quarts apple juice or cider. Simmer 30 minutes. Strain whole spices and orange rind from cider to serve. May add 1/2 cup of Brandy, and heat well. Store leftover cider in the refrigerator.