Wassail Bowl

6 small cooking apples
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
4 cups cider (Or 3 cups ale or beer, and increase sugar to 1/2 cup)
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup fruit sugar (fructose)
2 cups sherry
4 thin lemon slices

Prep:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Core the apples and arrange in a shallow pan.
Sprinkle apples with brown sugar.
Bake until tender, about 20 - 25 minutes.
Set aside.

At serving time:
In a saucepan over low heat, heat cider to boiling point.
Add spices, sugar, sherry, and lemon slices.
Stir until sugar is dissolved.
Cover tightly and let stand on low heat for about 3 minutes; don't boil.
Remove lemon slices.
Pour into punch bowl.
Garnish with halved, baked apples.

Makes 12 to 16 servings