Given that there is a significant chill is in the air, I say game on. Make this Hot Apple Brandy Punch with Marzipan Whipped Cream if you have a half hour. Impress your guests with this lovely, seasonal warm punch that is a cinch to throw together.
Create this luscious hot apple drink this weekend using freshly picked apples of the season. Simmer apple juice, apple pieces, and apple brandy for 10 minutes with spices. Top with marzipan studded cinnamon-scented whipped cream. Wow.
This delicious blend of seasonal and holiday flavors is sure to warm you up on these chilly autumn nights. Sipping a mug full of this beautiful hot drink by the fireplace is the ultimate fall decadence.
Serve Hot Apple Brandy Punch with Marzipan Whipped Cream as an after-dinner drink for your holiday guests or forgo dessert and substitute this. As a result, I promise your guests won’t notice you did not slave over a pie or cake.
I used Calvados for the alcohol in this recipe. Calvados is a brandy from the Normandy region of France distilled from cider made with apples or pears. However, Calvados is pricy. I happened to have a bottle in my liquor cabinet. There are more affordable versions of apple brandy on the market. Apple brandy does make this recipe especially appley. Alternately, if you already have whiskey, bourbon or cognac, substitute any of those in this recipe. The taste will not be exactly the same, but still delicious.
Easily Make your own Marzipan:
Hot Apple Brandy Punch with Marzipan Whipped Cream
Ingredients
- 2 apples, any sweet-tart variety
- 5 cups apple juice
- 1/2 cup Calvados or apple brandy
- 3 cinnamon sticks, plus some for garnish
- 3 tablespoons white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 2 oz marzipan
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus some for garnish
Instructions
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Peel and core the apples. Cut the flesh into small pieces.
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Place the apple pieces, apple juice, apple brandy, cinnamon sticks, sugar, and cloves into a saucepan and bring to a boil.
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Turn the heat down and simmer for 10 minutes.
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Whip the cream and the ground cinnamon until stiff peaks form.
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Cut the marzipan into very small pieces and gently fold it into the whipped cream.
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Pour the hot apple punch into glasses, top with the marzipan studded whipped cream.
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Sprinkle the additional ground cinnamon over the top of the whipped cream, garnish with extra cinnamon sticks and serve.
Homemade Marzipan Recipe
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Ingredients:
• 1+1/2 cups blanched* ground almonds
• 1+1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure almond extract
• 1 teaspoon rosewater
• 2 tablespoons egg white
• Light corn syrup and extra powdered sugar to adjust consistency if needed
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Directions:
If you are using almond flour, skip the next two steps.
*To blanch raw almonds, boil them in water for one minute, rinse immediately in a colander with cold water and squeeze the skins off with your fingers. They will slip off easily.
Pulse the blanched almonds and a tablespoon of powdered sugar in a food processor until they are completely pulverized. The powdered sugar will prevent the almonds from becoming a paste.
Add the 1+1/2 cups cup powdered sugar to the food processor and pulse until the almond meal and powdered sugar are combined. I like to take out the blade and use a whisk to break up any lumps that have formed and then replace the blade and pulse a few more times.
Add the pure almond extract and the rosewater and pulse until combined. Add the egg white and pulse until the mixture becomes smooth.
Wrap the mixture with plastic cling film, stow in a ziplock bag and keep in the refrigerator until ready to use. You can also freeze it.
Makes roughly 18 ounces
