Halloween toffee apples

Making these toffee apples is a job for grown-ups as the toffee will be very hot – but the kids will love eating them. They're the perfect Halloween treat

Prep:20 mins
Cook:10 mins

Serves 8
Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 282
fat 0g
saturates 0g
carbs 68g
sugars 68g
fibre 2g
protein 0g
salt 0.1g

Ingredients

8 red apples
400g caster sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
4 tbsp golden syrup
red or black food colouring
red or black food glitter (optional)
8 sturdy, clean twigs or lolly sticks

Method

Pull any stalks off the twigs and push the sharpest end of each stick (or the lolly sticks) into the stalk-end of each apple, making sure it is firmly wedged in. Put a large piece of baking parchment onto a wooden board.
Tip the sugar into a large saucepan and add the lemon juice and 100ml water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sugar has dissolved. Swirl the pan gently to move the sugar around, but don’t stir. Add the golden syrup and bubble the mixture (be careful it doesn’t boil over) until it reaches 'hard crack' stage or 150C on a sugar thermometer. If you don't have a thermometer, test the toffee by dropping a small amount into cold water. It should harden instantly and, when removed, be brittle. If it's soft, continue to boil. When it's ready, drip in some food colouring and swirl to combine. Add the glitter, if using, and turn off the heat.
Working quickly, dip each apple into the toffee, tipping the pan to cover all the skin. Lift out and allow any excess to drip off before putting on the baking parchment. Repeat with the remaining apples. Gently heat the toffee again if you need to. Best eaten on the same day.