Bonfire Toffee
Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot…
Halloween is over but bonfire night is rapidly approaching. If you’re not familiar with UK tradition, bonfire night (aka. Guy Fawkes’ night, Fireworks night, plot night) has been celebrated in England since 5th November 1605. It is a celebration of the Kings escape from assassination from Guy Fawkes and his 12 other conspirators. Guy Fawkes’ placed barrels of gunpowder under the houses of parliament. However, Guy was caught then hung, drawn and quartered. To read more about the history of bonfire night, click here.
Modern day Bonfire Night is pretty much like the 4th of July, we set off fireworks! Why? Because fireworks contain gunpowder. If you ever go to a [good] bonfire night party in the UK, you will see a spectacular fireworks display. Before the fireworks display, it is customary to light the bonfire. The bonfires are huge and keep you warm in the chilly autumn air from a distance. Before the lighting of the bonfire, a “Guy” (meaning Guy Fawkes) is made out of paper, tights (pantyhose), old clothes, etc. and moulded into the shape of a man and placed on top of the fire. You then watch as the fire takes hold and Guy Fawkes burns. Sounds a little crazy now but it’s all done in good humour and charity too. “Penny for the Guy?”
Continuing the tradition, bonfire toffee is often enjoyed around bonfire night too and sometimes throughout autumn and winter. Bonfire toffee is a hard toffee that traditionally contains brown sugar, black treacle, golden syrup and little other ingredients. It has a very rich deep molasses taste from both the sugar and the black treacle. It becomes chewy as it melts in your mouth too. Mmm!
And did I mention, it is yummy too? If you’ve never tried bonfire toffee, be sure to make yourself a batch. It’s very easy to make!
Bonfire Toffee Recipe
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15-25 mins
Yield: 500g toffee
Ingredients:
- 450g (approx. 2 cups) dark brown sugar
- 125ml (approx. 7 tbsp) boiling water
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar
- 115g (approx. 5.5 tbsp) black treacle (molasses)
- 115g (approx. 5.5 tbsp) golden syrup (light corn syrup), see notes.
Directions:
- Line the base and sides of an A4 sized tin with non-stick parchment and then grease it really well.
- Put the sugar and boiling water in a heavy bottomed large pan and heat gently until the sugar is dissolved, do not stir the mixture at any point instead tilt the pan if you need to move it around.
- Weigh out your remaining ingredients, if you put them in a really well greased jug they will be much easier to pour out. Once the sugar has dissolved add all the ingredients and pop the sugar thermometer in, you can use the thermometer to give it a quick swirl but try not to mix it too much.
- Bring to the boil and boil until you reach soft crack on your thermometer (270℉/140℃) This may take up to 30 minutes, be patient and do not leave the pan unattended as it can change quickly. As soon as it reaches the temp, tip it into your tin and leave it to cool.
- Once cool remove it from the tin a break up with a toffee hammer or rolling pin. Store in an airtight tin or wrap up in boxes or cellophane bags to give as gift.
Notes:
- Black treacle is very similar to liquid Molasses in the US. However, for an authentic recipe, golden syrup should be used and not light corn syrup. Golden syrup can now be found in most US supermarkets [or so I hear].
- TIP: To easily clean your pan and thermometer after use, fill with hot water and bring to the boil. This will melt any remaining residue making it easy to clean after.
About Lisa Crunkhorn
In my high school we read Tess of the d’Ubervilles (spelling? can no longer remember), in which Guy Fawkes Day plays a prominent role. I remember it every Nov. 5 as a result lol! This candy is intriguing… I am not a huge molasses fan but I would like to try it.
Laura recently posted…Salted Browned Butter Honey and Oat Cookies
My boyfriend is obsessed with V for Vendetta so I am familiar with the 5th
This toffee looks deeelicious! I’ve never seen it before and I am very intrigued
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) recently posted…Something Saturdays (11/3/12)
great post I miss the UK this time of year
rebecca recently posted…Craft: spiderweb with bottle top spider
What an incredible way to celebrate guy Fawkes day my friend, your toffee looks mouthwatering
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted…Ma’s Birthday 2012 + CCU Undercover: Castle Taj
I’ve not heard of bon fire night – but with a recipe as good as this, I will for sure be celebrating! I love that you have the recipe conversion for me! I love hard candy and this is one I’ve not tired, thanks for the recipe!
I feel my teeth screaming just looking that delicious toffee!!! I love how fun it looks, and the flavors are so unique:-) Yum, Hugs, Terra
No black treacle or golden syrup here in the US
(brit in the US)
I’m so glad you shared this! I didn’t know the story, not had I heard of the toffee…. And you photo’s are fab!
thanks x
Crystelle
This looks dark & rich in the best possible way. I’ve never heard of Bonfire Night, so thanks for a little history lesson
This sounds very interesting. I had never heard of this…
The photos are wonderful, by the way.
I have never seen or heard of this, but I am totally intrigued!
This Bonfire Toffee looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing this recipe on our Strut Your Stuff Saturday! We are so glad you dropped by and hope you’ll be back with more great recipes. -The Six Sisters
Hello! I love your blog & have added you to my beautiful blog roll & used one of your photos from this post. Here’s a link to it my blog roll. I hope you don’t mind being added in! http://anyonitanibbles.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page.html
Anyonita