Recipe for Wassail for 8

3 red cooking apples, cored
3 Tb. brown sugar
4 C. red wine
1 C. brandy
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
strips of lemon peel
sugar to taste if desired

Fill the apples' centers with 1 Tb. brown sugar and place in a baking pan with along with 1 cup of red wine and 1/4 C. brandy. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Put apples and the baking liquid in large pan, add rest of spices and lemon peel, simmer on stove for 5 minutes. Add the remaining wine and brandy and warm thoroughly. Add sugar to taste if desired, and you can also float halved oranges on top.