How To Make Bonfire Toffee

I'm on a diet at the moment, so in the spirit of the season, let us talk about sweet stuff! It's more of a treat when its rationed, as well - so something to think about for the 5th of November - Bonfire Toffee!

In England, its usually Bonfire Toffee, sometimes the rather odd sounding Cinder Toffee - although to me, Cinder toffee tends to be less dense, and a touch more crunchy - like the inside of a Crunchy Bar. In Scotland it can be Claggum or Clack, and Wales calls it Loshin Du. I also understand that in the late 19th century it was described as "Tom Trott," although the name seemed rather outdated even back then.

Essentially, bonfire toffee is a thick, sugary dark sweet, hard enough to chew and bite, and sticky enough to - leave a mess! Tradition probably says that it should be cut from a big sheet, and served in chunks, although I think it now comes in lolly-pop form as well. But I'd go for the homemade style - sugar, molasses, Treacle and butter! Proper Northern Bonfire Food. And Southern, too, probably.

Here is a recipe if anyone fancies trying it!

Ingredients:

300g / 12oz Demerarar sugar
100g / 4oz butter
2 level tablespoons of golden syrup
1 level tablespoon of black treacle
4 tablespoons of water

Method

(1) Put all the ingredients into a pan.

(2) Heat slowly, stirring until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves.

(3) Bring to the boil. Cover the pan, and boil gently for 2 minutes.

(4) Uncover the pan, and continue to boil for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

(5) Test by dropping a little of the mixture into a cup of cold water. It should separate into brittle threads.

(6) Pour into a buttered 15cm / 6in square tin, and leave to set.

(7) Turn out on a board, and break up with a small hammer.
Makes about 500g / 1LB of Toffee.