WASSAIL
About twenty 6-ounce servings
The best time to “come a-wassailing” is, of course, Christmas week. See About Egg Safety.
Core and bake as for Baked Apples I:
- 8 all-purpose apples such as Pink Lady, Winesap, Braeburn, or Granny Smith
Combine in a saucepan:
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground mace
- 6 whole cloves
- 6 allspice berries
- 1 cinnamon stick
Bring to a boil, cover, and cook for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, beat in a large bowl with an electric mixer until stiff but not dry:
- 12 egg whites
Beat in another large bowl until light in color:
- 12 egg yolks
Fold the whites into the yolks. Strain the hot sugar and spice syrup into a large pot. Add to the syrup in the pot and heat just until steaming:
- 6 cups dry hard cider
- 6 cups apple cider
- 2 cups brandy
Whisking briskly, gradually beat the hot brandy mixture into the egg mixture. Cut the baked apples into chunks and add to the wassail. Ladle into warmed mugs, placing a piece of baked apple in each mug.