When David & Veronica from Pippins Old English Orchard told me about their annual Apple Day, held on 12th October in aid of Hospice in The Weald, I really wanted to contribute in some way. What could be better than a celebration of British apples and all for a good cause. With fresh apple juice pressing demonstrations, cider tastings, apple games and displays and a hog roast (with apple sauce of course) I had to think of my own way to showcase Pippins wonderful produce that would appeal to children and adults alike.
Toffee apples seemed like the perfect choice, guaranteed to appeal to even the most fruit averse child and a nostalgic trip back to childhood for grown ups. Having made a hundred toffee apples for today’s event I can tell you that it is easier to make them in small batches (as per the recipe). I tried several recipes, both with and without butter and various different sugars, and found that this one with the fewest ingredients made best crisp toffee coating. I glad to say they were worth the effort and went down a storm, we sold out in a couple of hours! Kids love helping to make toffee so why not try this easy recipe for Halloween or bonfire night?
- 12 little eating apples, preferably organic
- 400g golden caster sugar
- 100ml water
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 4 tablespoons golden syrup
- Flavourless oil, such as sunflower oil, for the baking sheet.
- 12 wooden toffee apple sticks (or cutlery forks, if not making them to give away!)
- 12 cellophane wrappers and string to tie (optional)
- Sugar thermometer (optional)
- *It is important to make sure that you get everything ready before you start making the toffee as it hardens very quickly*
- Wash the apples with warm water and dry carefully with a clean cloth. The toffee will not stick to the apple unless it is completely dry and free from any waxy coating.
- Push a wooden stick into the stalk end of each apple.
- Very lightly oil a sheet of non stick baking paper and place the apples on it, close to the stove.
- Put the sugar and water in a large pan and cook for around 5 minutes, over a medium heat, without stirring, until the sugar dissolves
- It is important that you do not stir at any point as this may cause the sugar to crystalise. If sugar crystals start to form on the sides of the pan, use a pastry brush dipped in cold water and carefully brush the crystals off the sides.
- When the sugar has dissolved, place a sugar thermometer in the pan and increase the heat.
- Boil until the toffee reaches 'hard crack' stage, which is 149C -154C on the thermometer.
- You can also test for 'hard crack' stage without a thermometer by taking a small spoonful of the toffee and pouring it into a dish of cold water. The toffee should go hard instantly and be brittle when you try and break it. If it is squishy then continue to boil and test every couple of minutes.
- When the toffee is ready, you will need to work quickly and carefully. Dip each apple in the toffee, twist until fully coated and then place on the prepared baking sheet to cool. If the toffee in the pan starts to thicken and become difficult to work with, place it back on the heat until becomes runny again.
- Leave the apples to cool and the toffee to harden before eating.
- Will keep for 2 days if wrapped in cellophane and stored in a cool dry place.
Toffee Apples are such a lovely idea and kudos to you for making them for charity! They look delicious!
Thanks so much Jessie! Making 100 is a bit of task but 12 is a breeze! 😉
Toffee Apples are pretty much at the top of my baking bucket list now autumn is here so I’m definitely going to be referring back to this soon! I love the idea of an apple day for charity, that sounds like so much fun. Glad your toffee apples were a hit 🙂
Thanks Hannah! The Apple Day was a lot of fun, with fresh apple juice pressed the old fashioned way and lots of other apple related treats, it was also so nice to see kids doing taking part in apple bobbing and other games!:-)
So seasonal and pretty!
Thanks Sally! Perfect for ‘trick or treaters’! 🙂
This is a great, seasonal recipe. The toffee apples look delicious.
Hope you try them, Mel, the kids would love them! x
An apple day!What a brill idea!I have never tried toffee apples you know?I think it’s time to change it! 🙂
Definitely time to try a toffee apple, Bea! Let me know what you think if you do 🙂