Toffee apples and pears

10 minutes prep, 15 minutes cook

Serves 6

Ingredients

200g raw cane sugar

100ml water

30g unsalted butter

120ml maple syrup

1tsp white wine vinegar

6 lolly sticks

6 apples or pears

50g chopped walnuts or pistachios, optional

Method

Line an oven tray with baking parchment.

Place the sugar and water in a heavy-bottomed pan and warm over a medium heat, without stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Add the butter, syrup and vinegar, and gently swirl the pan for a few seconds to combine the ingredients. Simmer for 15 minutes, without stirring, taking care not to let the mixture boil.

Test to see if it is ready – drop a little of the caramel into a cup of cold water. If ready, it will turn into a soft, squeezable ball.

Place the nuts in a bowl, if using. Push the lolly sticks into the cores of the apples or pears and carefully dip them into the toffee, rolling until covered. Dip the base of the fruits into the nuts, if using, and stand on the oven tray to set.