Daylesford’s homemade toffee apples
This classic, caramelised treat isn't just for children. You will need eight wooden skewers or lolly sticks, baking parchment paper and a deep saucepan
Ingredients(serves eight)8 organic eating apples400g organic golden caster sugar100ml water2 tsp organic vinegar4 tbsp organic golden syrupfew drops of red food colouring (optional)
Method
Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. Push a wooden skewer or lolly stick into the stalk end of each apple.
Prepare a sheet of baking parchment close to your cooking area and place the apples on this.
Set a large pan over a medium heat and add the sugar and water. Cook for five minutes until the sugar dissolves, then stir in the vinegar, red food colouring (if using) and golden syrup. Set a sugar thermometer in the pan and boil to 150C; 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 be brittle and easy to break. If the toffee is still soft, continue to boil it longer.
Grasp each apple by the wooden handle, and quickly dip and twist each into the hot toffee. Let any excess drip away over the pan before placing your toffee apples on the baking parchment to set.
You may need to increase the heat if the temparature drops and the toffee mixture feels more thick and viscous. Allow the toffee apples to cool completely before eating. Store in a cool, dry place and enjoy within 2 days.