Some days I will add a few slices of oranges to give it a little citrusy smell.  Other days I might drop a few drops of almond extract for an even sweeter smell.

Another great thing about this Mulling Spices Recipe is that you can also use it to prepare a wonderfully spiced apple cider.

Here is what you will need:

3 oz cinnamon sticks
⅓ cup cardamom pods
¼ cup allspice berries
¼ cup whole cloves
¼ cup star anise pods
⅓ cup dried orange peel – store bought or dried in oven

Instructions:

Place cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, allspice berries, cloves and star anise in large resealable bag

Crush lightly with rolling pin

Add orange peel to bag and toss to mix well
Store in airtight container

If you are simmering this on your stove, just place in a small pot with some water on low heat.

To serve as a drink, add 2 tablespoons of mix per ½ gallon of warm apple cider 

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Mulling Spices Recipe

Use to create a wonderfully spiced apple cider or simmer on your stove top. Either way, your kitchen will be filled with the wonderful smells of Christmas!

Course Drinks, Holiday, Non-Alcoholic

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 3 oz cinnamon sticks
• 1/3 cup cardamom pods
• 1/4 cup allpice berries
• 1/4 cup whole cloves
• 1/4 cup star anise pods
• 1/3 cup dried orange peel - store bought or dried in oven

Instructions

• Place cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, allspice berries, cloves and star anise in large resealable bag
• Crush with rolling pin
• Add orange peel to bag and toss to mix well
• Store in airtight container

Notes

If you are simmering this on your stove, just place in a small pot with some water on low heat.

To serve as a drink, add 2 tablespoons of mix per ½ gallon of warm apple cider 

No matter which way you use this mix, the wonderful smells (and tastes) of Christmas will warm your heart.

OOOOH.  Have we got another great cider drink for you.  Take a look!

Hot Apple Cider

The post Mulling Spices Recipe appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

The favorite thing that I made was this Glass Soap Dispenser.   I absolutely love it sitting on my kitchen counter instead of a plastic soap bottle.  Even though this is  a little thing, it truly makes me happy and lifts my spirits.  A great lesson about this party was that it brought to our attention how we need to appreciate the small things in life!

I also had everyone bring their favorite appetizer and that was so yummy!  I too made one of my favorite appetizers which are these Veggie Bars that you can find at Mandy’s Recipe Box.

BUT the thing that I REALLY wanted to share with you today is this recipe for hot apple cider that I served!!  Because it is one of my all-time favorite things! It only took a couple of sips before everyone was asking how I made this and where they could find the ingredients so they could serve this to their families for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

So I had to fess up pretty quick that the apple juice, whipped cream and caramel sauce came from WalMart,  but the real secret is the Cinnamon Dulce syrup that you buy at Starbuck’s.  What a find!  Once you have this syrup, who needs to go to Starbucks when you can make something like this at home?  Once you have their syrup, that is!!!  Here is what it looks like:

It usually is less than $15 and you get a lot so I think that’s a pretty good deal.

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Recipe for Hot Apple Cider

Course Drinks

Author Made From Pinterest

Ingredients

• Any kind of bottled apple juice or cider
• Starbuck's Cinnamon Dolce syrup
• Whipped cream topping
• Smucker's Caramel Topping

Instructions

• Heat up your apple juice on the stove or microwave.
• In the bottom of the mug you will be using, pour in the Cinnamon Dolce syrup. I usually use around 2-3 tablespoons. Give it a little mix!
• Add your whipped topping (I used the spray can of Land o' Lakes that you can get at Costco)
• Drizzle with the caramel sauce.
• And now you have a fancy, schmancy drink that your family and guests will love!

I promise this recipe for hot apple cider will be YOUR newest favorite thing!

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 This awesome post has been shared with Home Stories A to Z and Whipperberry

The post Recipe for Hot Apple Cider appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.