Today on the blog, my Happy Hawks Homeschool crew and I will be teaching you how to make easy British flapjacks with simple ingredients. But first, I suppose I should explain to my American readers what a flapjack is. A flapjack is a chewy, sticky, sweet oat bar filled with lots of buttery goodness. This British sweet is eaten by athletes, cafe dwellers, and children alike.
Old fashioned oats provide fiber and carbs, while golden syrup, turbinado sugar, and butter provide a sweetness that is guaranteed to keep everyone coming back for more. These British flapjacks are made with simple ingredients and are a real crowd pleaser.
My children always shriek with excitement when they hear me say, “Does anyone want to help mom bake some British flapjacks for a math lesson?”
Would you like to join us in the kitchen for a bit of schooling, storytelling, baking, and fun? Bring your appetites, and your imaginations, and let’s get to the bake, shall we?
What is a British Flapjack?
So, what exactly is a British flapjack you may be asking?
A pancake?
No, no, not a pancake.
British flapjacks are flat oat bars that use four staple ingredients. Oats, sugar, golden syrup, and butter.
They are very versatile as almost anything can be added to satisfy your personal taste. Common flapjack additions include (but are not limited to): chocolate chips, cinnamon, raisins, and seeds.
What is British Golden Syrup and Where Can I Buy It?
If you read my blog regularly, you will be aware of the decadent British ingredient called golden syrup. However, if you are new to my blog, you may be wondering, “What is British solden Syrup- and where can I purchase it?”
Golden syrup is a common ingredient in England- and boy, oh boy- is it delicious! It tastes a bit like toffee or butterscotch. I find it to be a luscious, indulgent ingredient!
Because it is a British ingredient, golden syrup can be tricky to find in some American grocery stores. From time to time, I find golden syrup at Publix in the international section. Sadly, finding golden syrup at Publix is not always guaranteed. To solve this problem, I soon learned to make my own golden syrup recipe.
Note: if you struggle to locate any Golden Syrup, or if you would like to try to make your own Golden Syrup recipe, you can find my recipe here.
My British Flapjack Recipe:
British Flapjacks with Simple Ingredients (aka Fabulous Flapjacks)
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease an 8×8 baking dish. Add parchment paper to the bottom of the buttered baking dish. (The butter helps the parchment paper to stick to the dish.) Set the prepared baking dish aside.
- Using meduim heat, melt butter in a heavy saucepan.
- Add one cup of Turbinado sugar and stir.
- Add ¼ cup of Golden Syrup and stir.
- Stir in oats- until completely coated with the sticky butter mixture.
- Add the coated oat mixture to the prepared baking dish. Important: firmly press the oat mixture down. You can also place a piece of parchment on top of the oats and place a heavy casserole dish on top of the parchment to make sure the oats are firmly pressed down. Not pressing the oats down firmly can make the flapjacks crumble once baked.
- Allow the oats to sit for 10 minutes before baking. (This allows the oats to soak up the butter coating without being so crumbly when baked.)
- Bake the flapjacks in the preheated oven for 35 minutes- or until bubbly and golden.
- *Allow flapjack to cool to the touch before removing parchment paper from the baking dish. Allow the flapjacks to further cool on a cooling rack. Place the flapjacks in the refrigerator to completely cool -this ensures the flapjacks can be cut and are not as likely to fall apart. Only cut into individual squares once the flapjacks are completely cooled.
Notes
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor
How lovely it is to make a recipe with only a few simple ingredients. Salted butter, golden syrup, turbinado sugar, and old-fashioned oats are some of my favorite baking ingredients.
Traditional flapjack recipes often call for Demerara sugar. However, in America, Demerara sugar can be more difficult for me to find. Enter the turbinado sugar. Turbinado sugar is a nice alternative to Demerara sugar… and did I mention… it is absolutely delectable? Quality turbinado sugar has a course, crunchy texture and a slight molasses flavor profile.
Where are British Flapjacks Found and Who Eats them?
Flapjacks are commonly eaten in English cafes, bakeries, and homes. They are favorites of children and cyclist (or any athlete), as they offer slow digestible carbs and energy.
It is worth noting that British flapjacks are a sweet treat. If you do not like super-sweet foods, you may try to melt dark chocolate and drizzle that over the top to cut some of the sweetness.
We love our British flapjacks, and hope that you do as well. To see a more “Americanized” version of the British flapjack, see my homemade granola bar recipe.
How To Make British Flapjacks Using Simple Ingredients (In Photo Form):
Preparing the Oats Base:
The British Flapjacks made with Simple Ingredients are Ready to be Served:
Frequently Asked Questions About British Flapjacks:
- Do I have to use old fashioned oats in this recipe? Old fashioned oats are able to absorb the butter and the sugar well. This allows the flapjacks to have a chewy texture that is strong enough to cut into squares for serving. Rolled oats can also be used- but avoid using quick cooking oats or steel cut oats. Different oat types produce different textures. Traditionally the texture of a flapjack is a chewy, soft bar.
- What types of sugar can I use in this recipe? Demerara sugar is often used in traditional British flapjack recipes. However, this type of sugar can be hard to find in America. Therefore, I use Turbinado sugar and find the results are perfect. You can experiment with sugar types. Light brown sugar is also an option- as is dark brown sugar.
- Where can I find golden syrup in America? Golden syrup can sometime be purchased in the international section of Publix. It can also be bought online. If you cannot find, golden syrup… or you simply prefer to make your own, you can.
- Why are my British flapjacks crumbly? By nature, flapjacks can be crumbly, but there are several tricks to achieving a cohesive British flapjack. Firstly, make sure the flapjack mixture is pressed down tightly before allowing the mixture to cool. Secondly, waiting about ten minutes before baking allows the oats to absorb the buttery mixture in a more even way. Thirdly, make sure the flapjacks are completely cooled before trying to cut into squares with a sharp knife. Placing the warm flapjack mixture in the refrigerator before cutting is also helpful.
- How do I store leftover flapjacks? You can store the cooled flapjack squares on a piece of parchment paper- and then in a Ziplock bag- or in an airtight container. Flapjacks can also be stored in the refrigerator – or at room temperature- but do not allow the flapjacks to get too warm.
Final Thoughts Until Next Time:
Well, that is all for this time. I hope you enjoyed tagging along. Perhaps you might consider making a batch of your own British flapjacks with simple ingredients for yourself… or for someone you love.
If you enjoyed this easy British flapjacks with simple ingredients post, why not check out my page that features many other traditional English recipes here.
Also feel free to subscribe to my blog. (Subscribing does not cost anything, and it helps to keep you informed on any new updates or upcoming announcements.) Or find me on my Cotswold kitchen mom Facebook page or my Pinterest page for more inspirations and ideas.
I hope to see you all again very soon. Thank you for your support.
~Elizabeth~