Rub-a-dub-dub, three Peeps in a mug!

As the days turn cold and darkness is more abundant than light, the Peeps® look for snuggly warmth and comfort. Being sensitive whatever they are, they seek camaraderie, candle light, and cider (preferably hot and spiced). They take this time to contemplate what they’ve accomplished this year and start to form their goals for next. As they mull over their past, I mull the cider. They hop in, first dipping their tails to gauge the temperature, then submerging their bellies into the piping-hot, aromatic, potentially melting beverage. It’s a serious, and yet, not somber time in the kitchen. Peeps are basically fun loving with very short attention spans so the cider fights and cider-filled balloons come out and get all over the counter in pretty short order. It smells great, but golly what a mess. It’s even worse when I add rum.

Speaking of which, Halloween is around the corner and kids just love having hot cider after a vigorous evening of trick or treating. Sit them down with some Hot Piping Peeps Cider with a dollop of rum and when they get dozy you can easily go through their candy bags and snarf the good ones. They’ll sleep well and you’ll get your Mars® bars. Win-win!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 gallon apple cider
• 1/2 tsp cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange peeled and sliced
• Rum (optional)
• Peeps!

DIRECTIONS:

• In a big saucepan heat the cider to boiling
• Throw in the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and orange slices
• Turn down heat to low and simmer for 10 – 12 minutes
• Strain out the non-cider bits
• Pour into interesting mugs
• (Optional) Add some rum
• Place your Peeps

I was surprised after that whole Peeps Jello Mold experience that they sat upright and didn’t tip over onto their sides since they’re such lightweights. That occurred later after the rum seeped in. Peeps just can’t hold their liquor.