How to Make Lamb's Wool for Epiphany

In the context of Epiphany, Lamb's Wool is not something you line boots with. It does, however, keep you warm. Lamb's Wool is a hot cider drink traditional to the Epiphany holiday. Some say the name "Lamb's Wool" comes from the white flesh of the baked apples it contains. Others say its origin is the Gaelic phrase "La Mas Ubhal" ("day of the apple") whose pronunciation was corrupted to "lamasool."

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 2 qts. cider, hard cider, ale or a mixture of cider and ale
• 6 baking apples, cored
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
• 2 tbsps. to 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger

Prepare the Apples

1. Get out the apples, an apple corer and a baking sheet.

2. Core the apples, but don't break the skin on the bottom, taking care to leave it intact.

3. Butter the baking sheet, or spray it with non-stick spray.

4. Place the apples on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. They will swell up a little.

5. Bake at 450 degrees F for about an hour.

6. Core, peel and boil the apples until they are soft (about 20 to 25 minutes), if you prefer.

Prepare the Punch

1. Gather together the cider or ale, sugar and spices.

2. Pour the cider or ale into a large saucepan over medium heat.

3. Begin adding and dissolving sugar one tbsp. at a time until the mixture is to your taste.

4. Add the spices.

5. Bring the liquid to a boil.

6. Turn down the heat and simmer for about 10 or 15 minutes.

7. Get out a large, decorative punch bowl and put the apples into it.

8. Break the apples up with a spoon or fork. This is optional depending on how you want the bowl to look.

9. Pour the Lamb's Wool punch over the apples.

10. Serve right away.

11. Make and refrigerate the punch itself in advance, if you wish, but not the apples. They must be baked and served hot, not reheated.

Tips & Warnings

• For extra flavor, layer butter and brown sugar in the core holes of the apples before you bake them.

• If you have some guests who drink alcohol and some who don't, you may want to make two batches of Lamb's Wool, one with hard cider and one with plain cider or apple juice for your Epiphany party.

• How you make the Lamb's Wool punch depends on your own taste. If you want to put in more sugar or spices, go right ahead.

• For a spicier taste, use a cinnamon stick and a whole nutmeg.

• Watch the oven as you bake the apples. Some ovens are hotter than others. If the apples appear brown, but are not yet soft, turn the temperature down.

• The apples designated "baking" apples at the supermarket are not always the tastiest. Choose Jonagold, Macintosh or large Granny Smith for more flavor. Macintosh will look especially attractive for your Epiphany celebration.