A little invention by me, this is a kind of Christmas take on toffee apples, but with the addition of some other Crimbo classics like cloves and mandarin oranges, all smothered in a lovely caramel sauce. It’s perfect served with custard or cream or simply on its own.

Ingredients:

2 cups granulated sugar

2 large cooking apples

10 cloves

Half a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 mandarin oranges

Method:

Cut up both apples into quarters and lay on an ungreased baking tray, then poke two or three cloves into the skin of each slice.

Evenly cover the apples with the sugar, and follow by drizzling the lemon juice so all piece of apple are covered.

Peel the mandarins and evenly distribute around the apples, making sure to remove any excess pith.

Bake in the oven at 180° for 25-30 minutes, until the sugar has caramelised and the apples have softened.

Serve warm with cream, custard or on their own.