Let’s Party!
‘Tis the season for holiday parties! Here are some recipes that are great
to bring to a party or make when you’re hosting. Happy Holidays!

Mary Sue Rasmussen’s Cream Cheese Toffee Fruit Dip

This fruit dip is a medley of sweet, creamy smoothness with an exciting crunch of toffee. My favorite way to eat it is with green apples, but it is good on practically any fruit! It has been a hit ever since my grandma introduced it to us, and it makes an appearance at most Rasmussen family parties.
1 8oz block of cream cheese
½ C brown sugar
¼ C white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
½ package Heath toffee baking bits (4oz)

Let the cream cheese soften for 20-30 minutes.
Combine all the ingredients in a mixer.
Scoop into a serving dish and chill until ready to serve.
*Coating sliced apples with lemon juice keeps them from oxidizing or turning brown quickly.

Wassail Recipe

This drink is a swirl of sweetness and spices that will warm you to your core. This is one of those seasonal drinks to which you can attach vivid memories with the taste and the smell it delivers. For me, the smell of cloves and cinnamon call back fond memories of making wassail with my uncle during our annual family Christmas party. I was a teenager at the time, and we made a regular batch. Then we made a special batch, just for us, that had more spices in it than the average person liked. I think the candle makers try to tap into these fond memories to coax us into buying their merchandise, but I’ll just make wassail instead.
2 Apples
8 C Apple cider
2 C Orange juice
1/3 C Lemon juice
4 Cinnamon sticks
15 Whole cloves or ½ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp Ground ginger
¼ tsp Ground nutmeg
1 Tbsp Brown sugar (optional)
Poke the whole cloves into the apples on all sides.
Add all the ingredients, including the apples, to a large pot over medium low heat. (I use a crockpot)
Bring to a simmer for 30-45 minutes
Remove apples, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Ladle into mugs and enjoy!