Apple Slice Sugar Cookies - Pillsbury

2 tablespoons red decorator sugar

1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated sugar cookies

2 tablespoons miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Black string licorice, cut into 1-inch pieces

Heat oven to 350°F. Cut 17x12-inch piece of plastic wrap; place on work surface. Sprinkle red sugar evenly over plastic wrap. Roll cookie dough in sugar to coat. Wrap in plastic wrap; freeze 30 minutes.

Remove half of dough from wrapper; freeze remaining dough until needed. Cut dough into 1/4-inch slices. On ungreased cookie sheets, place slices 2 inches apart. Place 3 chocolate chips in center of each slice to resemble seeds. To form slice shape, make 2 indentations on 2 opposite sides with fingers. Repeat with remaining half of dough.

Bake 8 to 9 minutes or until unsugared edges are light golden brown. Insert 1 licorice piece on top of each cookie to resemble stem. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

BUTTERSCOTCH APPLES

5 apples

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup water

3/4 cup milk

1/2 tablespoon cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 to 1 tablespoon butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Wash the apples, and cut them into quarters, pare and core them. Into a saucepan put the sugar and water, and heat. When the syrup boils, add the apples. Cover and boil gently until the apples are tender. Remove the apples from the syrup with a skimmer or a wire eggbeater, placing the fruit in sherbet glasses or other suitable dishes for serving. In another pan, mix the milk and cornstarch thoroughly. Stir and cook until the mixture reaches the boiling point, then add it to the syrup in which the apples were cooked. Boil for a few minutes. Add the salt, butter, and vanilla. Stir these into the mixture, then pour the sauce over the apples. Serve Butterscotch Apples hot or cold for a dessert.

Apple Cranberry Cider

1 quart apple cider or apple juice

2 cups cranberry juice

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

4 whole cloves

2 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)

In a large saucepan, combine the cider, cranberry juice and brown sugar. Place cloves and cinnamon sticks on a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of cloth and tie with kitchen string to form a bag. Add to pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes. Discard spice bag before serving.