Easy Fruity Flapjacks Recipe

An epicurean adventure to: The United Kingdom

In the UK, flapjacks come in various forms, catering to a wide range of tastes - from dense and crumbly to dry or moist. Regardless of the form, flapjacks are a firm favourite throughout the isles.

This recipe, however, focuses on creating chewy, moist, fruit flapjacks with beautifully crispy edges. Fresh out of the oven, they exhibit a soft, gooey texture that gradually firms up as they set, resulting in a moist, sticky treat.

Bursting with natural flavours from oats and dried fruit, this recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and a mere 10 minutes of prep time before it's ready for the oven. Don't forget copious amounts of golden syrup - an essential component of any good flapjack!

Whether tucked into lunch boxes or enjoyed as a quick on-the-go energy pick-me-up, these chewy, fruity flapjacks provide a burst of natural energy and flavour just when you need it.

Fast facts - The United Kingdom

Key ingredient notes and substitutions

**Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full list of ingredients.

Oats

Stick to regular porridge oats, like rolled oats or jumbo oats. Quick-cook oats are too fine. You want some bite and texture.

Unsalted butter

Feel free to use salted butter. Just skip the added salt in the recipe.

Light brown sugar

Light brown sugar provides the ideal level of caramelisation, enhancing the flavour without overpowering it.

White sugar contributes minimal flavour, while dark brown sugar can sometimes add a little too much richness.

Golden syrup

Opt for Lyle's Golden Syrup or a store-brand alternative.

In chilly UK winters, golden syrup can be stubborn in a squeezy bottle. Pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds to loosen it up.

Dried fruits

In our recipe, we choose the sweetness of raisins or sultanas, paired with the subtle tang of dried apricots and dried cranberries.

Feel free to personalise by adding any dried fruit of your preference, totalling approximately 150g.

Consider options like chopped prunes, dates, dried apple, dried papaya chunks, dried pineapple or dried mango.

Mixed spice (optional)

The blend of dried fruit and oats in our recipe pairs well with a hint of warmth from mixed spice. While optional, you can also choose spices like cinnamon or ginger, but keep it subtle.

A half teaspoon of mixed spice adds a gentle touch without overwhelming the flavours unless you intentionally aim for a festive flair.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Preheat the oven to 160C/320F/gas mark 3.

2. Line a 20cm x 20cm (8" x 8") square tin with parchment paper.

3. Combine the unsalted butter, light brown sugar, golden syrup, salt and mixed spice in a saucepan or large pan.

4. Gently melt all the ingredients together over medium-low heat. There's no need to simmer, just ensure they are fully melted, which takes approximately 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.

5. Cut the apricots into small pieces.

6. Add the sultanas, chopped apricots and dried cranberries to the oats in a large bowl and combine well.

7. Combine the dry ingredients (the oat mixture) with the melted ingredients in the saucepan.

8. Stir the ingredients together until everything is fully coated in the melted syrup mixture.

9. Spoon the flapjack mixture into the prepared tin, then use the back of a spoon or a spatula to press it into all the corners and level the top.

10. Optionally, you can place a few extra pieces of dried fruit on the top if desired.

11. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the edges begin to turn a light golden brown. Initially, the top may appear quite buttery, but it will sink into the flapjacks as they cool.

12. For best results, allow the tray to sit on a wire rack until the flapjacks have fully cooled. For a quicker cooling process, you can also place the tin in the fridge.

13. Then, lift them out using the parchment paper onto a cutting board. Slice into your preferred shape and size using a large, sharp knife.
    
    Enjoy your oaty flapjacks with a cup of tea or coffee.

Variations

• Add a handful of chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts or pecans.

• Mix in chocolate chips or chunks.

• Introduce shredded coconut to the mixture for a tropical flair.

• Include a mix of seeds such as chia seeds, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Trail mix with a combination of mixed seeds and nuts works great too!

• Experiment with different spices like cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg.

• Grate some citrus zest (lemon, orange, or lime) into the mixture.

• Cut into bar shapes for a granola bar appearance, wrap it in brown paper and tie a string around it. A quick, thoughtful gift.

Storage and freezing

Storage:

Once the fruity flapjacks have completely cooled, store them in an airtight container, like a plastic container with a tight sealing lid, at room temperature.

Placing a sheet of parchment paper between layers helps prevent them from sticking together. Stored properly, flapjacks can remain fresh for up to a week.

Freezing:

To freeze flapjacks, first, ensure they are fully cooled. Cut them into individual servings or your preferred size, and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil.

Place the wrapped flapjacks in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Frozen flapjacks can last for up to three months.

When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature or gently warm in the oven for a few minutes.

FAQ

More sweet treats from the United Kingdom

Gypsy Creams

Chocolate Tiffin

Eve's Pudding

Festive Sherry Trifle

Sticky Jamaican Ginger Cake