Spiced Holiday Cider Beetles
Embrace the spirit of the season with these delightful Spiced Holiday Cider Beetles! Perfect for gifting, these aromatic orange halves are not only festive but also a nostalgic addition to your family's holiday traditions. Each beetle is crafted with care, using wholesome spices that infuse seasonal warmth into your favorite apple cider or juice. Hand them out as charming gifts tied with a colorful ribbon, and include the preparation instructions for a fun and interactive experience for the kids. A beautifully aromatic addition to any winter gathering, these beetles will surely bring joy to your holiday celebrations!
N/A
Servings
75
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
Oranges
6 (Cut in half and pulp removed)
Brown Sugar
2 1/4 cups (Firmly packed)
Cinnamon Sticks
12 (1 1/2 inch) (Whole)
Whole Nutmegs
12 (Whole)
Large Whole Allspice
24 (Whole)
Whole Cloves
96 (Whole)
Instructions
1
For adults: Preheat your oven to 250°F (121°C). Cut the oranges in half and carefully scoop out the pulp without damaging the rind, reserving the pulp for future use or discarding it.
2
Place the orange halves, cut side up, on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake in the preheated oven for about 2 hours, or until the rinds are dried and hard. Once baked, allow them to cool completely.
3
For the kids: After the orange halves have cooled, take the firmly packed brown sugar and fill each orange half, ensuring to mound the sugar slightly for added texture.
4
Create adorable beetle shapes by arranging the spices in the sugar mound: use a cinnamon stick for the body, a whole nutmeg for the head, two whole allspice for the eyes on either side of the nutmeg, and approximately 6-8 cloves to represent the legs.
5
Once completed, wrap each Cider Beetle tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator or a cool cupboard for later.
6
To use: Unwrap one Cider Beetle and drop it into 1.5 quarts of apple juice or cider. Allow it to simmer gently for 30 minutes, letting the flavors meld together. After 30 minutes, strain out the whole spices and orange rind before serving. For an extra kick, consider adding 1/2 cup of brandy to the mix and heat thoroughly. Store any leftover cider in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Nutrition Information
0g
Fat
18.75g
Carbs
0g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spiced Holiday Cider Beetles?
Spiced Holiday Cider Beetles are festive, aromatic orange halves filled with brown sugar and spices, designed to be simmered in apple cider or juice to add seasonal warmth and flavor.
How many oranges do I need for this recipe?
The recipe requires 6 oranges, which are cut in half to create a total of 12 Cider Beetles.
What is the recommended oven temperature for drying the orange rinds?
The oven should be preheated to 250°F (121°C) for drying the orange halves.
How long should the orange halves bake in the oven?
The orange halves should be baked for approximately 2 hours, or until the rinds are dried and hard.
What should I do with the orange pulp?
After scooping it out of the rind, you can reserve the pulp for future use or discard it; it is not used in the beetle assembly.
Is this a kid-friendly recipe activity?
Yes, while adults should handle the oven and cutting, kids can participate by filling the cooled rinds with sugar and arranging the spices into beetle shapes.
Which spice is used to represent the beetle's body?
A 1 1/2 inch whole cinnamon stick is used to create the body of the beetle.
What spice represents the head of the beetle?
One whole nutmeg is used to represent the head of each beetle.
How are the beetle's eyes created?
Two whole allspice berries are placed on either side of the nutmeg to serve as the eyes.
How many cloves are used for the beetle's legs?
Approximately 6 to 8 whole cloves are used per beetle to represent the legs.
How much brown sugar is needed for the full recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 1/4 cups of firmly packed brown sugar.
How should the brown sugar be arranged in the orange rind?
Fill the orange half with the sugar and mound it slightly to provide texture and a surface for the spices.
How should I store the finished Cider Beetles?
Wrap each completed beetle tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator or a cool cupboard.
How much apple juice or cider is used for one beetle?
One Cider Beetle should be dropped into 1.5 quarts of apple juice or cider.
How long do I need to simmer the beetle in the liquid?
Allow the beetle to simmer in the juice or cider for 30 minutes so the flavors can meld.
Do I serve the cider with the spices still in it?
No, you should strain out the whole spices and the orange rind after simmering and before serving.
Can I add alcohol to the cider mixture?
Yes, for an extra kick, you can add 1/2 cup of brandy to the mixture and heat it thoroughly.
How long does the prepared cider last in the refrigerator?
Any leftover prepared cider can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
What is the calorie count for one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 75 calories.
Is there any fat in this recipe?
No, this recipe contains 0g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a Cider Beetle?
There are 18.75g of carbohydrates per serving.
Does the recipe contain protein?
No, this recipe contains 0g of protein.
Can these be given as gifts?
Yes, they are excellent for gifting; simply tie them with a colorful ribbon and include preparation instructions.
What kind of orange preparation is required?
The oranges should be cut in half and the pulp must be removed without damaging the rind.
What equipment is needed to bake the rinds?
You will need a baking sheet and a wire rack to place the orange halves on to catch any drips.
Are the allspice berries whole or ground?
The recipe specifies using large whole allspice berries.
Should the nutmeg be whole?
Yes, the recipe requires whole nutmegs to create the beetle's head.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include cider, beetles, holiday, beverage, gift, kids, spiced, apple, tradition, and festive.
How many total cloves are needed for the full batch of 12 beetles?
The recipe calls for 96 whole cloves in total.
Is the cinnamon ground or whole?
The recipe uses 12 whole cinnamon sticks, each about 1 1/2 inches long.