Cherry Cider Salad

Description
This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Vaughan Estate in McKinney, Texas in 1987.
 * Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

Ingredients

 * 2 cups apple cider
 * 6 ounce package cherry flavored gelatin
 * 16 ounce can pitted dark sweet cherries
 * ½ cup thinly sliced celery
 * ½ cup chopped walnuts
 * 3 ounce package cream cheese softened.
 * 1 cup applesauce
 * leaf lettuce

Directions

 * 1) Bring cider to boiling then dissolve gelatin in boiling cider.
 * 2) Drain cherries reserving syrup.
 * 3) Halve cherries and set aside.
 * 4) Add enough water to reserved syrup to measure 1½ cups liquid then stir into gelatin.
 * 5) Set aside 2 cups of the gelatin mixture and keep at room temperature.
 * 6) Chill remaining gelatin until partially set.
 * 7) Fold halved cherries, celery and walnuts into the partially set gelatin.
 * 8) Pour into a 6½ cup ring mold and chill until almost firm.
 * 9) Gradually add reserved gelatin to softened cream cheese beating until smooth.
 * 10) Stir in applesauce.
 * 11) Spoon cream cheese mixture over cherry layer in mold then chill until firm.
 * 12) Unmold onto lettuce lined platter.