Cinnamon Apple Wreath

Adorn your door with this festive holiday wreath and welcome your guest with apples, cinnamon spice and everything nice. Source: Betty Crocker, TM of General Mills, Inc.

• Ready In: 5 hrs
• Yields: 1 wreath

Ingredients

• 6  small apples, 2 1/2 inches in diameter
•  lemon juice or   lemon-lime  soda pop
•  wire racks
•  spray varnish, if desired
• 6  cinnamon sticks, 10 inches long
• 8 (3 1/2inch)  cinnamon sticks
• 3⁄4 inch  ribbon, 2 yards
•  glue gun and glue  stick
•  silk leaves

Directions

1. IMPORTANT: You will also need 1 Straw wreath, 10 inches in diameter
2. Heat oven to 200°F
3. Cut apples lengthwise from stem end through core into 1/4-inch slices.
4. Dip apples into lemon juice to prevent browning; place on wire racks. Carefully place wire racks on oven rack.
5. Bake 4 hours.
6. Remove wire racks from oven and place on heatproof surface.
7. Let apples stand about 2 hours or until completely dry.
8. Place dried apples on waxed paper.
9. Coat each side with 2 light coats of spray varnish, following manufacturer's directions.
10. Tie 10-inch cinnamon sticks together.
11. Attach to front of wreath with 6 inches of the ribbon.
12. Glue dried apple slices and 3 1/2-inch cinnamon sticks to front and side of wreath, using glue gun.
13. Attach leaves to ribbon on 10-inch cinnamon sticks.
14. Make a bow with the remaining ribbon, and attach to wreath.
15. Attach wire hanger if desired.
16. Tips:
17. - Make the dried apples ahead of time. When it's time to make the wreath it will all come together in a snap.
18. - Pick up Rome apples for this project. With their pretty red skin and white flesh they are particularly nice in this wreath, though other types of apples are also attractive.