CIDER BEETLES

Gifts in a Jar


CIDER BEETLES

6 oranges
brown sugar
cinnamon sticks
whole allspice
whole cloves

Cut in half crosswise and scoop out pulp from 6 oranges. Place orange peel, cut
side up on wire rack on baking sheet. Bake in 250 degree gas oven 2 hours or until
dry and hard. Cool. Pack firmly into orange halves, mounding slightly, 1 pound
brown sugar (about 2 1/4 cups). Arrange in sugar, pressing in slightly, to resemble
beetle: 24 lg. whole allspice berries 12 short cinnamon sticks 96 whole cloves
Cover tightly with plastic wrap. To use: Unwrap cider bug and drop into 1 1/2 quart
apple cider in saucepan. Simmer over low flame 30 minutes. If desired, add 1/4-1/2
cup brandy. Heat well. Remove orange peel and spices before serving. Makes about 8
servings, 6 ounces each. Nestle a Cider Bug in shredded cellophane in the bowl of a
ladle as a gift for a neighbor. Add a bow and greenery at the top of the handle.

Gifts in a Jar