Hot Tamale Spiced Cider & A White Christmas


I hope y'all everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I know we sure did. We usually go out of town to visit my in laws for Christmas, but this year we decided to stay home. It was so nice to sit back and relax this holiday season.

We usually don't get to do to much relaxing when we go out of town. Usually we are busy running around visiting everyone in the family that Christmas passes us by.

Well not this year, it was so nice to slow things down and just be home celebrating our own Christmas Traditions.

We baked cookies for Santa Claus and had a night of goodies, appetizers and finger foods on Christmas Eve. I made this wonderful Hot Tamale Spiced Cider recipe that is simply out of this world good.

I have been addicted to is since Christmas Eve and just cant get enough of it. I just so happen to be sipping on it as I type this post.

 I have been back to the grocery store twice to get more apple cider and hot tamales to make it again LOL. Yep you heard right this spiced cider has hot tamale candies in it. Who would of guessed.

On Christmas Eve we opened our family gift which is usually a game that the whole family can play together. This year it was Disney's DVD Bingo. We had so much fun laughing and just being together and celebrating as a family.

While we were playing games and watching Christmas movies we got a surprise...... Snow on Christmas Eve it couldn't of been more perfect.

I know its not much, but you have to understand North Texas hardly ever gets snow. The last time I can really remember us getting any snow was 5 years ago on Valentines Day. 

The kids were so excited they rushed outside in the dark to play a bit in the snow. My daughter Mackenzie made a pretty snow angel pictured above it was the perfect night. So we can actually say we had a White Christmas. So tell me how was your Christmas?
This is a photo of our backyard.


Here is my silly kids getting cookies ready for Santa and carrots for his reindeer's.



Mackenzie gave him so many cookies.


Here she is leaving carrots and water out for the reindeer's. Mackenzie were are you socks?



Here is another photo of that wonderful spiced cider. I just made a batch up on the stove and after I strained it, I poured it into a crock pot and placed it on warm. That way everyone could just serve themselves. I must warn you this stuff is highly addictive.





Hot Tamale Spiced Apple Cider

Ingredients:
5 - cups apple cider
1/4 - cup hot tamale candies
1/4 - teaspoon whole cloves
1/8 - teaspoon nutmeg
1 - cinnamon stick, garnish

Bring all ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce and simmer 10 minutes.

Strain and serve hot in mugs garnished with a cinnamon stick. 

When you strain the cider you will see the gummy part of the candy, toss it out with the cloves. 

Pour the cider into a slow cooker to keep warm serve.

Cooks Note: This can also be prepared in the crock pot. Just add all of the ingredients and cook on low for 2-3 hours. Remove hot tamales before serving. 






Tina, The Mom in Mommy's Kitchen

8 comments

Heidi said…
I'm so glad you had a wonderful Christmas. We got snow on Christmas Eve too. It was probably part of the same weather system. Congrats to the winners of your contests!! I hope you have a great New Year :)
Lena said…
this sounds yummy what is the measurement on the cloves? thanks!
Tina Butler said…
Lena thanks for catching that. It is 1/4 teaspoon.
Stephanie said…
That sounds so good and easy! Makes me want some now!
~Stephanie~
Sherrie said…
Sounds like a lovely Christmas. That spiced cider sounds yummy. TFS
MrsMonicaLB said…
i love hot cider and hot tamales,running to the store right now!thanks for all your great recipes.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Anonymous said…
Good post and this fill someone in on helped me alot in my college assignement. Say thank you you for your information.
Jeshanah said…
I'm wondering if I can post a pic of your cider on my facebook page and link to your blog/recipe? I'm a Pampered Chef consultant who posted a challenge on my Facebook Business page (Jeshanah's Pampered Chef) asking people to challenge me to find recipes using leftover candy. Your recipe fits the bill for the Hot Tamales. ;) Please advise, thank you. :)