Toffee apples

Recipe for six apples

Ingredients

25g/1oz unsalted butter

250g/9oz caster sugar

30g/1oz golden syrup

120ml/4fl oz cold water

Red food colouring (optional)

6 small eating apples, stalks removed

Lollipop sticks

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Method

1. In a large saucepan add the butter, sugar, golden syrup and water and gently bring to the boil, constantly stirring.

2. Simmer the mixture gently over a very low heat, without stirring for 30 minutes, or till it reaches 138C with a sugar thermometer. Then add the food colouring if you’re using it.

3. Meanwhile push a lollipop stick, skewer or fork halfway into the top of each apple.

4. Line a baking tray with parchment baking paper.

5. Once the toffee mixture is ready, tilt the mixture to one side of the pan, and then dip the apples in, one at a time, to coat them lightly.

6. Let the toffee drip back into the pan, and then stand the apple onto the parchment paper.

7. Repeat this with the remaining apples, then let them cool and harden before you eat them.

8. Chocolate apples can be made by melting dark chocolate in the microwave and dipping them the same way as the toffee apples with the base dipped into Hundreds and Thousands.

9. Children will get over-excited if you are making this recipe with them, so please make sure you do work in a clean and safety manner – a hot pan and boiling sugar syrup can get within reach of younger children, so keep them occupied with the apples and lollipop sticks.

10. These toffee apples are great fun for a Halloween or bonfire parties, with the irresistible crunch of toffee and a lovely, buttery, homemade taste!

Pause for thought

I often wonder if the kids today get the scene of thrills and excitement as I did as a boy.

I have such wonderful memories being happy and content after the flames died down on plot night, smelling of smoke and losing a filling, then hearing mum say: “that’s it for another year son, off to bed now!”.

Ah, the dreams of long, long ago. Do today’s youngsters really know who Guy Fawkes was? I think not!