Description

This festive Christmas Simmer Pot Recipe fills your home with the warm, inviting scents of the holiday season. Combining zesty dried orange slices, fresh cranberries, aromatic cloves, cinnamon sticks, and fresh rosemary, this simmer pot not only smells delightful but also makes a lovely gift when packaged in treat bags. Perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere without burning candles or incense.

Ingredients

Scale

Simmer Pot Ingredients

2 large naval oranges
3 and ½ cups fresh cranberries (about 18 ounces)
¼ cup whole cloves
20 whole cinnamon sticks
10 sprigs of fresh rosemary

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Oranges: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). This low heat allows the oranges to dry slowly without burning.
Slice Oranges: Slice the naval oranges into thin slices between ⅛ to ¼ inch thick. Thinner slices will dry faster, while thicker slices may require longer bake time.
Dry the Orange Slices: Pat the orange slices dry using a paper towel to remove excess moisture, then lay them flat on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overlapping.
Bake the Slices: Bake the orange slices in the oven for about 3 hours, flipping them halfway through to ensure even drying. They are done when they look dry and no longer shiny.
Assemble Treat Bags: To create charming gift bags, fill each bag with ⅓ cup fresh cranberries, 5-6 whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 dried and cooled orange slices, and 1 fresh sprig of rosemary, in that order.
Seal and Decorate: Tie each bag securely with a twist tie or a decorative ribbon. Optionally, use a hole punch to attach printable gift tags for a finishing touch perfect for holiday gifting.

Notes

Dried orange slices can be stored in an airtight container for several weeks and used for multiple batches of simmer pots.
If you prefer quicker drying, you can use a food dehydrator instead of the oven, setting it to a low temperature.
Simmer your pot by adding the contents to a pot of water on low heat or in a slow cooker on low setting. Replenish water as needed.
This simmer pot is great for adding warm festive fragrance without using synthetic scents or candles.
Be mindful when using whole cloves and cinnamon sticks—they are potent and may stain fabrics or surfaces.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Category: Simmer Pot
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas simmer pot, holiday fragrance, dried orange slices, festive decor, DIY gift bags, cranberry simmer pot, natural air freshener