Dried Apple and Nut Garland

 

3

bright-red apples

Lemon juice

Wire rack

Spray varnish, if desired

Glue gun and glue sticks

1

pound mixed nuts, in shells

12

cinnamon sticks, 3 1/2 inches

20

whole bay leaves

Purchased evergreen garland, 6 feet long

• 1 Heat oven to 200ºF.
• 2 Cut apples lengthwise from stem end through core into 1/4-inch slices. Dip apples into lemon juice to prevent browning; place on wire racks. Carefully place wire racks on oven rack. Bake 3 1/2 hours. Turn off oven; leave apples in oven 8 hours or overnight.
• 3 Remove wire racks from oven. Let apples stand about 2 hours or until completely dry. Place dried apples on waxed paper. Coat each side with 2 light coats of spray varnish, following manufacturer's directions for spraying and drying.
• 4 Glue dried apples, nuts, cinnamon and bay leaves to garland. Let dry.