Guy Fawkes Night is almost upon us, but it’s not just the fireworks causing us to explode with excitement – this annual celebration is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some delicious traditional bonfire snacks. Here are some favourites that are sure to tempt your taste buds.
Toffee Apples
Loved all over the world by adults and children alike, the sweet toffee apple has been enjoyed on Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night for decades. Though traditionally coated in cinnamon sugar candy, American confectioner William Kolb experimented with red candy coating in 1908 which is a firm favourite to this day.
For a quicker and easier equivalent, chocolate-coated apples are a popular choice. Simply melt some chocolate, dip the apples into it and decorate however you wish. Not only are these treats delicious (and one of your five-a-day), but if you’re making your own it’s a great way to keep the kids occupied.
Jacket Potatoes
Standing in the cold to admire the firework displays is a much more pleasant experience if you have something warm in your belly – and I’m not talking about whisky. Jacket potatoes are enjoyed in the UK throughout the year, but this fluffy delight is even more popular in the chillier months.
Cook the potatoes on a bonfire if you want to go all out, and serve with chilli con-carne, cheese, beans, tuna mayonnaise or any other filling that takes your fancy.
Lancashire Bonfire Black Peas
If you’re heading to a Bonfire Night party, you’re sure to find these traditional peas somewhere on the buffet table. This savoury snack is a must for any seasonal celebration. Occasionally called maple peas or parched peas, the tiny treats are soaked, boiled and flavoured before being served. Flavourings often consist of vegetable stock and cider vinegar with seasoning. It’s a snack everyone is sure to love this Guy Fawkes night.
Yorkshire Parkin
The Yorkshire Parkin cake is relatively popular throughout the UK, and is traditionally enjoyed on Bonfire Night. If you’re after a sweet and sticky delight, you’re certainly in for a treat – and you can even make it yourself if you’re an avid baker.
Sugar, treacle and syrup are melted with butter before oats, flour and spices are folded into the mixture. Eggs and milk are added and then the cake is baked for around 90 minutes. Parkin must be stored for a minimum of 1 day before it can be served, so be sure to prepare in advance.
Whether you’re enjoying the mesmerising firework displays in a popular local park, a rooftop overlooking your entire city or just your back garden, one (or several) of these delightful traditional treats will be sure to add a little more sparkle to your Bonfire Night.
