Looking for a homemade, delicious gift for family and friends this fall or winter? Whether you’re making for yourself or others, these apple cider beetles are the perfect way to spice up the holiday season. When added to some apple juice on the stove, your home will also smell so delicious and cozy.
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Gifting Ideas
While you can definitely make these for yourself, the apple cider beetles also make wonderful homemade holiday gifts. Here are some gifting ideas:
- Teacher gifts: For an affordable teacher’s gift, we used to give pair an apple cider beetle with a 2Qt jug of apple juice. They were a hit, and a refreshing break from gift cards or chocolates that others would gift.
- Holiday basket: These apple cider beetles are a great addition to a holiday basket. Make sure to leave some instructions if you don’t also include apple juice.
- Pop-by gifts: My mom is a real estate agent, and often “pops by” her clients homes with a small goodie or gift to remind them that she is thinking of them. The beetle on its own or paired with apple juice works great!
- Holiday parties: You can bring as a gift to the host, or make extras to keep at home in case you have guests coming over! They are super easy and convenient since all the ingredients are pre-measured. You’ll definitely impress your guests with how lovely your home smells.
Apple Cider Beetle Ingredients
The apple cider beetles contain all of the ingredients for a classic apple cider recipe, minus the apples. All of the ingredients are assembled into a cute beetle shape (or you can even make a reindeer!). For each beetle you’ll need:
- Half a dried orange peel
- Approximately 1/4 – 1/3 cup brown sugar, tightly packed
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 whole nutmet
- 6 whole cloves
- 2 whole allspices
Once ready to use, add an apple cider beetle to a pot of simmering apple juice on the stove. (You can also use real apples and water, but apple juice makes it extra delicious and easy). Generally, you only need 1 beetle for every 2-quart jug of apple juice. Your house will smell so delicious this holiday season!
Some other variations exist, however, such as:
- Less apple juice – for a stronger flavor, reduce the apple juice to closer to 1.5-quarts
- Apple cider – You can also use store-bought apple cider as a base for an even spicier flavor.
- Spike it – Add some bourbon or rum for an extra fun time.
Note – For 24 apple cider beetles, I used 12 large oranges, approximately 6.5 cups of packed brown sugar, 24 pieces of cinnamon sticks, 24 whole nutmegs, 144 whole cloves, and 48 whole allspices.
Step 1. Drying the Oranges
Drying the oranges is the most time consuming step, so make sure to plan ahead. The larger the oranges you start with, the better as well! I bought bags of 6 large oranges from H-E-B for mine.
After cutting the orange in half, you’ll want to remove the fruit inside. I like to juice the oranges for freshly squeezed orange juice, but you can also remove just to eat. Then, use a spoon with a sharp edge to scrape the inside of the orange clean – removing leftover pulp and inside bits.
Arrange your oranges on a sheet pan face up as shown. If you have time, leave them out overnight (about 12 hours) to dry. Optionally, you can add balls of aluminum foil inside to help them retain their shape, Then, place in the oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for about 6-8 hours until dry and hard. (Older and drier oranges will be done quicker).
Once done, make sure your oranges have no moisture, checking every 30 minutes, more often if needed once closer to done. You may need to remove some pieces before others if your oranges aren’t all the same size or thickness (because they will dry at different rates.
Step 2. Assembling the Apple Cider Beetles
Once your oranges are dried and cool, you can assemble to beetles! Start by packing the orange slices full of brown sugar, a little over 1/4 cup in each. Make sure to press it in as tightly as you can.
Next, add your cinnamon stick, nutmeg, cloves, and allspices.
Step 3. Packaging the Apple Cider Beetles
To package a finished beetle, wrap tightly in saran wrap. I used a small piece of tape on the back to secure.
You can also add a cute tag or sticker for a festive and personal touch.
Store the beetles at room temperature until ready to use.
Step 4. Gift and Enjoy
Your homemade apple cider beetles are ready to gift and enjoy! See my notes under the Ingredients section for fun variations.
If you liked this post, check out my other fall, winter, and holiday posts!
