There is something special about autumn in the Cotswolds. Golden leaves, muddy boots and that perfect mix of crisp air and cosy kitchens. When the season rolls around, nothing says late October fun quite like homemade Toffee Apples.
They are shiny, sweet and deliciously nostalgic, the kind of treat that makes everyone smile (and maybe a little sticky). Around here, I love making a batch for the kids to enjoy with a chilled can of Bensons Fruity Water. It is refreshing, made with real fruit juice and just the thing to balance all that toffee sweetness.
You’ll need
8 crisp apples (Gala apples are perfect)
400g caster sugar
1 tsp vinegar
4 tbsp golden syrup
And a few cans of Bensons Fruity Water for the kids to sip while you dip!
Step 1: Prep the apples
Pop your apples into a big bowl and pour over boiling water. This melts away the waxy coating so the toffee sticks perfectly. Dry them well, twist off the stalks and push a wooden skewer or lolly stick into the top of each one. Line a tray with baking parchment and have it ready near the stove.
Step 2: Make the toffee
Add the sugar and 100ml of water to a heavy-based pan. Warm gently until the sugar dissolves, then stir in the vinegar and golden syrup. Turn up the heat and let it bubble away until it reaches 150°C, the hard crack stage.
If you do not have a thermometer, drop a little toffee into cold water. If it hardens and snaps cleanly, it is ready.
Step 3: Dip, swirl and set
Carefully dip each apple into the molten toffee, twisting to coat it evenly. Let the extra drip off and place the apple back on the parchment to cool. If the toffee thickens, just warm it gently again. Once cooled, you will have perfectly glossy, crunchy toffee apples, a true autumn showstopper.
Lexi’s Tip: Before the toffee sets, roll your apples in chopped nuts, colourful sprinkles or even edible glitter for a bit of extra fun.
These toffee apples are everything I love about this time of year. Sweet, simple and just a little bit messy. Perfect for Bonfire Night, Halloween or a rainy weekend activity with the kids. Serve them up with Bensons Fruity Water, the perfect fruity and refreshing drink for little ones after all that stickiness! Smiles all round!