Saturday, December 4, 2010

Spiced Cider

What a delicious way to entertain this season!  Your house will smell wonderful, and your guests will have a warm, flavorful drink to sip on.  Grab your crock pot and a jug of cider and call your friends over for a night of fun and laughter!

1/2 gallon apple cider
1/4 c. red hots
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. allspice
oranges (optional)
2-3 cinnamon sticks (optional)

In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups apple cider, red hots, and brown sugar.  Bring to a boil stirring constantly.  Add cloves and allspice.  Mix with remaining cider in a crock pot and add cinnamon sticks and orange slices.  Serve warm!

Pineapple Salad

This is a recipe I created while working at the coffee shop.  It is great on pumpernickel or white bread, but I love it served as a dip with ginger snaps!  Perfect for Christmas parties!

2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 c. powdered sugar
1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 tsp. vanilla (optional)  *I add vanilla when using this as a dip.

Mix all of the ingredients well with an electric mixer.  Chill before serving.