“Remember, remember the fifth of November of gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.”

ALAN MOORE, V FOR VENDETTA 

CORAL ATKINSON | TÖASTIE CLOUD PUFFER | OCHRE | COPPER

Bonfire night is one of those evenings genuinely enjoyed by EVERYONE. Unlike the painstaking hours spent at soft play to the shrieks of a thousand sugar high, adrenaline pumped children, Bonfire night ignites something deep within us all, watching the flames lick through the enormous piles of wood awakens something primal. And pumpkins, with flames illuminating toothy grins and round eyes staring out at you from the neighbours doorstep. What's not to love!  

ANNABEL KARMEL | BONFIRE CUPCAKES

The majesty and the power of the leaping flames, serve as a symbolic reminder and warning to us all of the price of treason (ie NOT to be considered under any circumstances) when Guy Fawkes and 12 other men conspired to blow up the Houses of Parliament on November 5th, 1605.

It's a remarkable story. 

On the eve of a general parliamentary session scheduled for November 5, 1605, Sir Thomas Knyvet, a justice of the peace, found Guy Fawkes lurking in a cellar of the Parliament building. Fawkes was detained and the premises thoroughly searched. Nearly two tons of gunpowder were found hidden within the cellar. In his interrogation, Fawkes revealed that he was a participant in an English Catholic conspiracy organised by Robert Catesby, to annihilate England’s entire Protestant government, including King James I. The King was to have attended Parliament on November 5.

It could have rewritten the history books somewhat. 

On the very night that the Gunpowder Plot was foiled, November 5th 1605, bonfires were set alight to celebrate the safety of the King. Since then, November 5th has become known as Bonfire Night. The event is commemorated every year with fireworks and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire.

History lesson over 🤓

THE TÖASTIE RAINCOAT | OLIVE GREEN

This year for Bonfire night we have something DOUBLY special for you all. We teamed up with the culinary genius that is Annabel Karmel and I'm delighted to share her recipe for spectacular show-stopping Toffee Apples! 

ANNABEL KARMEL | TOFFEE APPLES

Whipped up in 15 minutes flat, this is the perfect combination of sweet and sour, sticky and crunchy, the ultimate Bonfire Night treat! 

  • 450g demerara sugar
  • 50g butter
  • 1 tbsp golden syrup
  • 150ml water
  • 8 to 10 small apples, washed and dried
  • 8 to 10 washed wooden sticks

Method

  • STEP 1

    Put the sugar, butter, syrup and water in a heavy saucepan. Heat gently, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Boil without stirring until the temperature reaches 143˚C on a sugar thermometer.

  • STEP 2

    Push thick wooden sticks into the apples. Dip them carefully into the hot toffee mixture, swirling them around and allowing the excess to drip off.

  • STEP 3

    Leave to set on wax paper or greased foil.

THEMUDDYMUMMYTÖASTIE CLOUD PUFFER | BLACK CHERRY | OCHRE | INK NAVY

Wherever you may be, enjoy watching those flames leaping higher and fireworks exploding overhead, with sticky mittens wrapped around toffee apples. And stay Töastie. 

"By god's mercy he was catch'd
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.

And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!"

 

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