We’re sharing some of our favorite tips for pulling together a festive, elegant holiday tablescape with ease, but no holiday spread is complete without Mulled Apple Cider. Today we’re showing you how with our favorite slow cooker recipe!
I held a small dinner party this past Sunday, and my brother and son were talking, and I overheard my son explaining that “I eat when I’m upset, the problem is I also eat when I’m happy…the bigger issue, if I’m really honest is, that I eat when I’m bored, frustrated, and to relax. And yeah, I also happen to work with food…”
Today, as I wrap up my weeklong assembly of our Christmas dessert spread, let’s add to that list “We eat to celebrate, and we celebrate while eating.”
That’s precisely what I wanted my guests to feel with today’s tablescape. I wanted the ‘celebratory’ spirit of the season to be the first thing they felt on seeing today’s dessert table. From the intentionally festive confections to the forest of Christmas decorations, this table is a real throwback to the sort of festive display that we would put together for crowds of friends and family during the holiday. As you can see from the pictures, the confections are much a part of the decoration and ‘feeling’ as the actual decorations themselves are, from the arranged butter cookies, to the pyramid of struffoli dusted with sugar and sprinkles, to a carefully arranged tray of cream puffs. Everything here is meant to convey the ‘flavor’ of the holiday’s festivity.
Serving Tips:
- Spice and Warmth. First and foremost, at least in my home, no Christmas is complete without a homemade cider. To prep the homemade cider, simply HOW DO?
- Ice in the Winter. I know, this isn’t the first thing on people’s mind, but honestly, it just melds so well with the other flavors on the table that I simply couldn’t resist – Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. You can use my no churn recipe here, and if you prefer you can leave out the whiskey and vegan caramel.
- Help Yourselves. One of the things I love about tables like these is that they encourage interaction, with everyone gathering around the table for dessert, and creating those picture-perfect, memorable moments together that really define the holidays.
Décor Tips:
- Tastefully Tactful Tact. Whenever I put together a table like this, I try to keep in mind the idea “overflowing without overpowering.” For example, for some added red hues we dusted the table with some fresh loose cranberries and a few obligatory candy canes. The Christmas ornaments themselves tended to be on the muted side, with gold hues predominating, accentuated by surrounding Christmas candles.
- Let you Confections Fly. You’ll notice that I used a pair of raised trays for the cream puffs and struffoli, that allowed me to raise them above the ‘haze’ of the ornaments, and to decorate more fully and thickly both around and ‘under’ the confections themselves, further adding to the ‘bountiful’ feel and density of the tablescape – I simply love the feeling this creates, and I cannot suggest enough that you try.
- Light is Good – In Moderation. Focus on muted golds and soft whites. Honestly, one thing that ruins an atmosphere the quickest for me is over lighting. Blaring lights are good for operating rooms and warehouses – at dinner, however, there’s no need to put the spotlights on your table and guests.
Mulled Apple Cider
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 gallon water
- 8 assorted apples (I used Red Delicious to give the cider a deeper color and Honeycrisp for natural added sweetness)
- 1 orange, peeled and sliced in half
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, optional
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- 2 teaspoons ginger or 1/2-inch root fresh ginger, grated
- 2 whole cloves
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in the base of your slowcooker or crockpot and leave to cook on high for about 5 hours. Once you see the apples splitting, lower it down and leave to cook for an extra hour or two on low.
- Serve hot or let cool completely, strain and store in glass jars.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
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DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, We both love mulled cider. Our daughter-in-law makes a mean version... What a table you set! It's almost to pretty to disrupt by partaking of the goodies presented. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Swathi says
This mulled apple cider looks delicious. Love your chirstmas dessert tablescape. Yummy food.
Pavani says
That is a really beautiful tablescape for the holidays. Thanks for the tips and ideas 🙂
Mulled apple cider sounds amazing. Will have to try your recipe.
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
What a beautiful table. The cider sounds wonderful. I love mulled cider and wine. Happy holidays!
Marisa Franca says
The apple cider looks so good. I wish I had that now instead of the water I'm sipping on. That is the Italian philosophy, Catherine. We eat not just to feed our bodies but to nourish our souls. Meals should be a celebration -- we have food on the table and we're alive. Now, I don't eat when I'm upset. Looking at me you can tell I've led a very happy life. Sending hugs!!
Catalina says
Thank you for your tips! This apple cider looks perfect for this season! I should try your recipe!
Gloria says
This sounds perfect for the holidays. Lots of great flavour, and your table looks so festive too. So many treats to try....never a dull moment in the food department this time of year. Happy Holidays.
Elaine Benoit says
I've never tried to make my own mulled apple cider! Your recipe looks easy and delicious! Oh, and the desserts look heavenly. I want to try all of them.
Aleta says
I've never made mulled apple cider before .. you make it so easy to accomplish, I think I'll give it a go! I love cinnamon, star anise and of course apples!
Kiki Johnson says
Oh, I'd do anything for a cup of mulled cider right now. We just got back from a walk and all we had was peppermint tea! Haha! I'll put the ingredients on my Christmas shopping list!
Dana says
Absolutely gorgeous table. I've never made mulled apple cider but I definitely want to try.
Chef Markus Mueller says
Mm I love mulled Apple cider! Christmas just isn't the same without it!
Tatiana says
I also like to use red delicious and honey crisp apples for an Apple cider! Make it so fresh and sweet!
Marisa Franca says
Right now I'm looking at the lake in the back and it looks so cold! I wish I had a big mug of the mulled cider. I haven't had any in years. It certainly would help in warming me up. And your tablescape is gorgeous. I love the soft muted tones. They are very relaxing and I could see lingering at the table.
Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli says
Beautiful table and beautiful treats. The mulled apple cider is such a nice addition!
Leslie says
This tablescape is stunning! I wouldn't even eat any of the food because I wouldn't want to disturb how beautiful it looks haha!
Amy says
I love apple cider! I’m going to make this recipe for Christmas—our whole family will go crazy over it! Thank you!
Natalie says
Beautiful Christmas table. I love everything on it. Would love to be invited to your party 😉 Apple cider is so perfect for holidays. I think I'll make it too this year. If not, this winter definitely. Love your recipe with anise. It's so flavorful.