Fruity oat squares and flapjacks

Morning all. Weather today? Grey with high prospect of rain. Plans today? Baking, meeting with friends to eat baking, possibly a (wet) woodland walk to walk off baking.

So today I thought I'd share a couple of my baking recipes, ones which I come back to time and again. This first recipe I've been making for a few years and we think it's fabulous. Its reasonably healthy in that there is no sugar or butter involved (honey and peanut butter instead :: genius), and as such it's often a component of school packed lunches, of mid morning snacks and of afternoon pre dinner I'm-staaaaaarving- locust-attacks by the Little People. I like to think I'm providing them with wholesome,  Energy-baking, something a bit more nourishing than an iced bun.

I adapted this recipe from one I found in a low GI cook book, altering the ingredients to suit my store cupboard (puffed rice? Nah! Toasted coconut? ooo no!)

So here you have my version of Fruity Oat Squares.

200g dried fruit - eg sultanas/raisins/chopped apricots/cranberries (my usual mix is 50/50 sultanas and apricots). Put the fruit into a food processor (snip apricots up first) and whizz hard until the whole lot is thoroughly blitzed. Set aside.

Find a large heatproof bowl and put in the following ingredients ::

2tbs vegetable oil
2tbs peanut butter
3tbs clear honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
0.5 tsp ground cinnamon

Pop bowl into the microwave and heat for 1min or so until peanut butter is melty. Give  a good stir. Add the blitzed fruit and the following ingredients ::

125g porridge oats
25g sunflower seeds

Mix well.

Press mixture firmly into a lightly oiled/lined shallow tin (19cm/8inch square)

Bake for 20mins, 180C/350F/gas 4

Take out of the oven and press the mixture down lightly, then cut into 12 squares. Leave to cool in the tin. The squares in the picture below had a bit of Cadbury's Flake crumbled over them whilst they were still hot, just a little extra mmmmmm, but it's not often I bother to do this.

Now my Little People adore these, but I know other Mums who've tried this recipe say their offspring will not eat them. I think it's because they are not particularly sweet. They're wholesome, and some kids have a built in radar to protect them from Wholesome Foodstuffs.

No, for sweetness you need a bog standard flapjack recipe, and I have just the thing. I've tried many flapjack recipes, and this is one I find irresistible. It's sweet but not sickly sweet, and has that lovely chewiness which I love about flapjacks. I cannot stand rock-hard flapjacks. And it's simplicity itself to make.

Fruity flapjacks

Into a heatproof bowl, put the following ::

80g soft brown sugar
100g butter/margarine
60ml Golden syrup

Into the microwave for a minute or two until the butter and sugar are melty. Stir well.

Add 200g porridge oats and 80g dried fruit (snipped apricots are my choice here)

Press into a lined tin (make the flapjack around 2cm deep) and bake for 20mins at 180C.

Press down the mixture to firm and cut into flapjacky size squares.

Leave to cool in the tin before hoiking them out. Consume with a steaming hot brew/glass of milk, depending on age. Indoors or outdoors, preferably not in rain. 

Enjoy your day xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Comments

[maria do carmo assis]

I follow you since your first year of blog....I visited Yorshire is an amazing place!!! I stayed there for 3 days after I come back to Ireland where I was at a hotel for 21 days ..I visited Scotland too...but the place I really loved was Yorkshire! I love crochet ..i make knit too...hugs take care from Brazil!

[Bev Farrall]

Hi Lucy, I feel your lethargy - for me it's seems to be one step forward then two back!! So many chores/projects to do and not making much progress. I have begun the edge of my 'sampler' rug though - three of your patterns. It's been a long process but have done other things along the way, including a pair of mittens last week, and lots of culling of old paperwork! I'm going to make your Fruity Oat Squares, they look delicious. Take care Cheers

[plasterers bristol]

Sounds proper delicious this. Will be making noteds to give this a go. thanks. Simon

[Tricia]

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[Donna Dowd]

Must try your flapjack recipe it looks yummy and I may even sneak some chopped apricots past my sons healthy radar. How I wish I could get him to eat the variety of things your little ones do. 😁

[Jennie Dunn]

My dear daughter showed me your site on Sunday and I have been thrilled with all your beautiful exquisite crochet creations! Also your lovely photos and now today found your flapjack and fruity oat square recipes, can't wait to make them they sound so yummy!!
Thank you so much Lucy

[Rachel Heard]

My dear friend introduced me to your site .... I am hooked! I long to learn to crochet, yet need someone to sit with me .... I have MS and my dexterity is reducing, yet, I am really keen to keep it as good as possible.

Thank you, thank you, for all your hard work, commitment and the fab lifestyle you guys have. I love it all!

Big love and tons of admiration

Rachel Heard x

[event catering los angeles]

Thank you for sharing Fruity oat squares and flapjacks recipe Lucy, will definitely be having a go at one or both some time soon. It's Energy-baking, something a bit more nourishing than an iced bun.

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those squares looks and taste wonderful, last day i try this recipe and i guess mines don't looks like these, but it definitely have a great flavor!

[susan]

hmmm. flapjacks over here (U.S.) are the same as pancakes. what are flapjacks to you?

those oat squares are begging to be made :)

[Jennifer]

mmmm flapjacks!!!

i have made your oat squares before and the kids love them...i LOVE flapjacks so will need to try this one - not very ww friendly im assuming though!..lol

[Lynn]

It just made my morning to see the word "squeezy" on a bottle of honey! The recipes sound delish! We have some dietary restrictions around here so the second one is out, but I'll make the first with agave nectar instead of honey and almond butter instead of peanut -- should be just as yummy. By the way -- in these parts flapjacks are the same thing as pancakes, so I was mighty surprised to see what yours look like! Hope your day wasn't too wet and that you enjoyed your woodland stride!

[Suzie sews]

yummy

[Mia]

Soooo many lovely posts again, Lucy. What a feat for the eyes to see your wonderful ripple blanket, all finished and looking gorgeous! Well done you. I am ashamed to admit that I still have not finished mine. I seem to be a split personality when it comes to colour, I love it yet at the same time I am tempted by cool calm white. This summer has seen more of the latter, but I can feel the need for colour come creeping back, and after having visited your always so inspiring blog I am determined to 1) add more colour into my home again 2) finish my ripple! Thank you, and congratulations on 100+ entries! And last but not least, lovely to see a photo of you in your ripple.

[Leisa]

I am so enjoying your blog - so glad I came across you!! I love the blanket you made - it is just lovely.

[Lisa]

Thank you for sharing more recipes Lucy, will definitely be having a go at one or both some time soon. Enjoy your woodland walk.

[simone]

I do like a chewy flapjack and also dislike those hard ones you sometimes find in health food shops. I think I will have a go at making the second recipe for my son's packed lunch as sadly we are not 'allowed' to have anything with peanuts in for school! There is blue sky here at the moment. I wonder how long it will last?!!

[dottydesigns]

Hi I have just recently found your blog and love it. I also love your ripple blanket and just bought the Jan Eaton book, can you please tell me which pattern it is that you used as I would love to have a go at making one too. Thank you.