Check out our latest magazine... Read Online

Recipe: Toffee Apples

No Halloween or Bonfire Night party would be complete without some traditional toffee apples. To create these classic sticky and sweet treats, just follow this simple recipe. If you happen to have ‘little helpers’, be careful of the hot sugar, and don’t forget to have a bowl of soapy water nearby!

Ingredients

4 eating apples

225g demerara sugar

75ml water (more if needed)

1 tsp white wine vinegar

2 tbsp golden syrup

25g butter

 

1. Put the apples in a large bowl and cover with boiling water – this will remove any waxy residue on the skin and help the caramel to stick. Leave them to sit for a minute, then drain and dry with kitchen roll.

2. Carefully push a lolly stick or small apple branch into the top of each apple and through the core. 

3. In a medium-sized pan, add the water and sugar and heat over a medium heat, until the sugar dissolves. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the butter, vinegar and syrup. Increase the heat to moderate and bring to the boil. Make sure not to stir the caramel at any time – just swirl it around the pan gently.  Test to see if it is ready – drop a little of the caramel into a cup of cold water. If ready, it will turn into a soft, squeezable ball.

4. When this has been achieved, work quickly to dip each apple into the caramel. You may need to tip the pan while rotating the apple to get an even coating. Repeat quickly with the other apples. If the mixture becomes too stiff, return it to the heat for a minute until it has softened.

5. You can now leave the apples to cool on the baking tray lined with nonstick baking paper or immediately after the apples are dipped, sprinkle them with chopped nuts, small chocolate drops, sesame seeds or whatever suits the age group and occasion! 

More from Food and Drink

  • Recipe: Cranachan

    Cranachan is a lovely Scottish dessert which is perfect as a delicious finale for a Burns Night supper. This recipe uses half-fat crème fraîche to lighten the cream mixture and flaked almonds for extra crunch

  • Recipe: Eggs Benedict

    Start the weekend the right way by making the perfect eggs benedict – wonderfully warming for an indulgent winter brunch

  • Recipe: Tiramisu Bread & Butter Pudding

    A feast of flavours to satisfy those sweet cravings, this is a belter of a bread and butter pudding, which really packs a punch! Perfect for Christmas gatherings

  • Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate & Almonds

    Brussels sprouts – they’re a festive classic that usually divides people. Yet with a simple addition of pomegranate and flaked almonds, even the most doubting of Christmas dinner diners could be won over by this recipe

  • Recipe: Chocolate, Banana & Pecan Cookies

    These scrumptious fudgy cookies are a decadent treat for the whole family – delicious after a brisk autumn walk with a warming cup of cocoa

  • Recipe: Chicken & Mushroom Pot Pies

    These warming and hearty fillers have succulent chicken, chestnut mushrooms and artichokes in a delicious creamy sauce flavoured with mustard – topped off with puff pastry. Tasty!

  • Kids Zone: Make Your Own Festive Treats!

    Join Sara Whatley in making some yummy festive recipes that the kids (and adults!) will some yummy festive recipes that the kids (and adults!) will love getting stuck into

  • Recipe: Hearty Beef & Pumpkin Stew

    This is the perfect, homely dinner to look forward to as the autumn nights draw in. Adele Trathan explains how to make this delicious casserole that is baked and served straight from the pumpkin

  • Recipe: Autumn Minestrone Soup

    This is a hearty autumn or early winter version of Minestrone Soup served with a lovely homemade pesto. Containing such a variety of vegetables – it will definitely up your 5-a-day quota

  • Recipe: William Shatner’s Cappuccino Muffins!

    Even in outer space, there’s nothing quite like a cappuccino muffin. Star Trek legend William Shatner goes boldly into the kitchen and delivers the goods...

  • Kids Zone: Apples, Apples and more Apples

    This month Sara Whatley and her family have gone mad for apples

  • Recipe: Red Velvet Cupcakes

    Deliciously light and fluffy, these red velvet cupcakes with a gorgeous soft cheese frosting are ideal for an afternoon tea – they are sure to impress your guests

  • Recipe: Saffron & Lemon Chicken Joojeh Kebabs

    This probably features on the menu of every Persian restaurant in the world, the marinade of yogurt and lemon juice tenderises the meat beautifully. This simplified version can be made at home in a conventional oven or grill if you don’t have a barbecue

  • South Carolina BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Try this winning BBQ chicken recipe from Grillstock founders Jon Finch and Ben Merrington and learn how to make both an authentic South Carolina BBQ sauce, and their secret BBQ rub.

  • Weddings: The Food of Love

    From a vegan feast to sausage, mash and gravy, what will you serve at your wedding? Sara Whatley explores the world of wedding catering

  • Vino, Vidi, Vici: The Vineyards, Breweries & Distilleries of Sussex

    James Forryan investigates the history of producing wine, beer and spirits in Sussex, and how we should all say 'Cheers!' to its great success...

  • Recipe: Raspberry Blancmange

    Based on a retro classic, this blancmange is a far cry from its wobbly 1970s reputation – instead, this is a light and creamy raspberry and almond dessert

  • Recipe: Sizzling Spare Ribs with BBQ Sauce

    The perfect spare ribs for your summer barbeque!

  • Highweald Estate: Wines of Outstanding Natural Beauty

    One of the wonders of Sussex is the capacity to create food and drink of outstanding quality and Highweald Wine is one such example, producing English Sparking Wines of exceptional standard – Robert Veitch went to find out more, and enjoy a glass or two

  • Recipe: Salted Caramel Praline Brownie

    Baker and author of Postal Bakes, Lucy Burton, will have you drooling at these divine brownies.