A winter warmer...

Now I know we don't often share baking tips (see my blog on the disaster of trying to bake DangerBaby her birthday cake!) but this is the season of comfort food, and soon you'll see these autumn treats in the shops. Why not treat yourselves and your little ones to a 'cooking with Mummy' day.... [Older kids! Hot syrup and babies don't mix]

Maple Toffee Apples

200g golden granulated sugar
125ml maple syrup
1 tsp white wine vinegar
25g butter
75g chopped almonds (or pecans if you prefer)
6 small eating apples

Place baking paper onto a baking tray.
Pour the sugar into a large heavy based pan with 100ml of cold water
Warm gently. Cook for 2-3mins, until sugar dissolved. Don't stir the water!

Add the vinegar and maple syrup and butter
Bring to the boil and let bubble for 5-10mins. To test it's ready drop a little of the syrup into water, it should 'freeze' but still be squidgee

Place almonds on a large plate and push large lolly sticks (or wooden skewers) into the apples.

Remove the caramel from the heat and then pick up your first apple.

Dunk it in until it's completely covered, roll in the almonds / pecans and place on the baking paper for it to cool!

This of course can be done with chocolate and sprinkles instead of caramel and nuts!!

So much fun, so simple and such a messy fun day had making these treats! Just imagine how much better homemade ones make!

Hmmmmm yummy.