Sticky, shiny, and totally nostalgic!
There’s something magical about biting into a crunchy apple coated in glossy, crackling toffee. Whether it’s Bonfire Night, Halloween, or just a rainy afternoon that needs a sugar boost, toffee apples bring the funfair home — literally!
The good news? They’re surprisingly easy to make at home with just a few ingredients and a little bit of candy know-how. Let’s dive in!
🛒 What You’ll Need (Ingredients & Tools)
Ingredients:
- 8 small apples (Granny Smiths or similar)
- 400g granulated sugar
- 100ml water
- 4 tbsp golden syrup
- 1 tsp vinegar (white or cider vinegar works fine)
- Optional: Red food colouring, edible glitter, chopped nuts
Equipment:
- Wooden skewers or lolly sticks 🍭
- Medium saucepan
- Sugar/candy thermometer
- Baking parchment
- Large mixing bowl
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Apples
Wash your apples thoroughly to remove any wax coating — this helps the toffee stick. Then dry them completely. Stick a wooden skewer or lolly stick firmly into each apple through the stalk end.
Step 2: Line Your Tray
Line a baking tray with non-stick baking parchment or a silicone mat and place it near your stove. Things move quickly once the toffee’s ready!
Step 3: Make the Toffee
Add sugar, water, vinegar, and golden syrup to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves — then stop stirring.
Let the mixture bubble away until it reaches 150°C (hard crack stage). Use a candy thermometer to get this spot on — it’s what gives the toffee that perfect shatter!
Step 4: Add Colour (Optional)
If you want that classic fairground red, stir in a few drops of food colouring just before dipping. You can also experiment with purple, orange or even black for Halloween!
Step 5: Dip the Apples
Working quickly (but carefully!), tilt the pan and dip each apple into the toffee. Swirl it to coat fully, let the excess drip off, and then place it on the lined tray to set.
Optional extras:
Not interested in a plain old toffee apple then you can coat, drip or drizzle to your hearts delight – go nuts, or sprinkles – or whatever.
Depending on your choice(s) they are best added at one of the three following stages: –
Coatings – While the toffee is still hot
Toppings – Whilst the coating is still sticky
Drizzles & Extras – When your toffee apple is at room temperature
Coatings
Before the toffee sets
- Sprinkle with chopped or crushed nuts – top picks are peanuts, pecans, hazelnuts or almonds
- Sprinkles – rainbow, chocolate, metallic
- Melted chocolate – dark, milk, white
- Crushed biscuits
- Edible glitter
- Crushed freeze-dried fruit e.g. raspberries; strawberries
- Coloured sugar crystals
- Gold Leaf
- Flavoured candy melts
- Desiccated coconut
Toppings
Add while coating is still sticky:
- Mini marshmallows
- Crushed candy canes – great at Christmas
- Crushed pretzels
- Mini M&Ms or Smarties
- Gummy sweets – sliced to stick better
- Toffee popcorn
- Crushed honeycomb
- Cereal
- Jelly beans – sliced for better sticking
Drizzles & Extras
Drizzle or pipe these over the finished coating for extra flair:
- Melted chocolate – use contrasting colours for effect
- Flavoured syrups e.g. raspberry; caramel
- Peanut butter or Nutella – best when slightly warmed
- Royal icing for patterns or webbing
- Edible paint or metallic lustre dust
Step 6: Let Them Set
Leave the apples to cool and set completely — about 10–15 minutes. Once hardened, they’re ready to chomp!
Cleaning Tip
Toffee hardens fast, so fill your sticky pan with hot water straight after use to save on scrubbing later!
👩🍳 Toffee Apple Tips & Troubleshooting
Problem | Cause | Fix |
Toffee won’t stick | Apples too waxy | Scrub and dry thoroughly |
Toffee too soft | Didn’t reach 150°C | Use a candy thermometer |
Bubbles or dull finish | Stirred while boiling | Avoid stirring once sugar dissolves |
🎪 Make It a Fairground Party!
Pair your homemade toffee apples with:
- Candy floss (check out our Candy Floss section)
- Mini donuts
- Fairground Bunting and Lighting & fairground music
Why not make it a theme night?
💬 Final Thoughts
Making toffee apples at home is easy, satisfying, and a whole lot of fun. Whether you keep it classic or go gourmet, they’re guaranteed to bring smiles — and a little crunch — to your next fairground-themed treat night.
