Bonfire night: make your own toffee apples

Bob for an apple! 🍎

Did you know that toffee apples are eaten on Bonfire Night because the 5th of November falls during the autumn apple harvest?

November is peak apple-picking season! So, why not make your own with your flatmates and challenge each other to a round of apple bobbing?

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 Granny Smith apples
• 400g golden caster sugar
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 4 tbsp golden syrup

Method

1. Place the apples in a large bowl, then cover with boiling water (you may have to do this in two batches). This will remove the waxy coating and help the caramel to stick. Dry thoroughly and twist off any stalks. Push a wooden skewer or lolly stick into the stalk end of each apple.
2. Lay out a sheet of baking paper and place the apples on it, close to your hob. Tip the sugar into a pan along with 100ml water and set over a medium heat.
3. Cook for 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves, then stir in the vinegar and the syrup. Set a sugar thermometer into the pan and boil to 150°C or the 'hard crack' stage. If you don't have a thermometer, you can test the toffee by pouring a little into a bowl of cold water. It should harden instantly and, when removed, be brittle and easy to break. If you can still squish the toffee, continue to boil
4. Working quickly and carefully, dip and twist each apple in the hot toffee until covered, let any excess drip away, then place on the baking sheet to harden. You may have to heat the toffee a little if the temperature drops and it starts to feel thick.
5. Leave the toffee to cool before eating. This can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in a dry place.

Tips for apple bobbing

✅ If you have long hair, tie it back to save it from getting wet

✅ Both hands must be behind your back

✅ If you're going for the win, don't chase the apple around the surface. Dunk your head straight in and drive the apple to the bottom or against the side wall of the bucket/bowl. This ensures the apple is in a solid place without it slipping away.

Happy bobbing! 🍎