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STOP! Before you hit ‘Jump to Recipe’ check ‘Skip to the Good Bit‘ below. I may answer a query you have about this recipe.
Chocolate Cherry Flapjacks are simply normal flapjacks with added va-va-voom! Easy to make in under an hour if you include the cooling period. You’re pretty much guaranteed to have the ingredients in your cupboards to make the the basic flapjacks, these just have added ingredients to make these that little bit more special.
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How to make flapjacks
Making flapjacks is really rather simple, I distinctly remember it being one of the first recipes I made with my very first cook book when I was young. I think my mum still has that book now!
There are two steps. First step, melt the fat and sugar ingredients. Second step, stir in the dry ingredients. I said it was simple didn’t I.
I always use a loose base square tin to make my flapjacks in and always line the tin as well just to prevent any awkward sticking.
Once the melted and dry ingredients are well mixed, pour into the prepared tin and press down the mixture firmly ensuring no gaps or air bubbles.
Then bake for 20-25 minutes and remember to cool completely before cutting into squares – this is in fact the hardest bit – the long wait!
Are flapjacks naturally gluten free?
Flapjacks are not naturally gluten free if you are diagnosed Coeliac or have a gluten intolerance. Oats are likely to be cross contaminated with other gluten containing cereals so are not safe unless they have been certified to be safe.
If you are making these Chocolate Cherry Flapjacks to be gluten free then you must ensure you use certified gluten free oats. Here in the UK you can get gluten free oats from most leading supermarkets, Delicious Alchemy, Glebe Farm Foods and Quaker now do gluten free oats too.
The best type of oats to use for flapjacks
We have already identified the safe oats to use for this recipe (in the previous paragraph). Now you may be asking what are the best type of oats to use for flapjacks? There are two types (three if you count finely milled). There are uncut or jumbo oats and then porridge oats, these have been partially milled. The last in the image below is the finely milled oats or oat flour.
For this recipe I often use a 50:50 blend of jumbo and porridge oats. This is the blend I used when I photographed this batch of Chocolate Cherry Flapjacks. If you choose just to use porridge oats you will get a denser flapjack, equally as delicious and maybe slightly les chewy.
Ingredients and equipment you need
For 16 square Chocolate Cherry Flapjacks you will need the following ingredients and kitchen equipment and utensils;
- gluten free porridge oats
- butter (I use Flora Plant Butter)
- light brown sugar (you can use other sugars but this one gives you a caramel flavour)
- golden syrup (you can buy online if outside the UK)
- cocoa powder
- glace cherries (I use ones cut into halves)
- square baking tin 20x20cm
- large non stick saucepan
- large glass bowl
- silicone spatula
- baking paper
- Kitchen Scales
- set of measuring spoons
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Can I add extra ingredients?
Flapjacks are so versatile I could write a whole new post on variations alone! This recipe is already quite fancy in comparison to the humble basic flapjack. But you could go even more chocolate mad and dip the square in melted chocolate or add a drizzle of chocolate (maybe white to add a colour contrast).
Basically, if you don’t go crazy with the ingredient ratios you could easily substitute the glace cherries for raisins, dried apricots, any dried fruits. let me know in the comments if you’ve tried different flavours and what you loved the best.
Can I make these flapjacks dairy free?
These flapjacks are easy to make dairy free by switching the butter for your dairy free alternative. I use Flora plant butter blocks as I find this behaves better than other dairy free/plant butters when baking.
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Chocolate Cherry Flapjacks Recipe
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Chocolate Cherry Flapjacks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 350 g gluten free porridge oats
- 200 g butter or butter alternative (I use Flora plant butter)
- 200 g light brown sugar
- 100 g golden syrup (corn syrup)
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 200 g glace cherries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C | 160°C Fan | 350°F | Gas 4
- Line the bottom of a 20x20cm square tin with baking paper.
- Into a large non stick saucepan add the butter, sugar and golden syrup. Place over a medium heat and stir until all the ingredients have melted.
- In a large bowl, weigh out the oats (porridge, jumbo or a combination of both).
- To the oats, add three tablespoons of cocoa powder and a 200g tub of glace cherries. Mix the ingredients to thoroughly combine.
- Once the sugar and butter has melted, carefully pour over the dry ingredients and using a silicone spatula fold together to fully coat the oats and cherries.
- Now tip the mixture into the prepared square tin and press down firmly to pack the oats down well making sure you pack the mixture tight into the corners.
- Pop the tin into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The flapjack will bubble a little at the edges when it's ready.
- Remove from the oven, using a wet knife tease the flapjack from the edges of the tin (this will prevent concrete hard sticking later!)
- Allow to cool completely in the tin before removing and cutting into 16 square portions.
Nutrition
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Hi, this looks delicious. I can’t wait to make it. I’m curious. I always try to up the nutrition of baked goods by adding ground flax seed, chia seeds, and whey protein isolate. Do these three ingredients conflict from the Free From protocol? If not, have you experimented with these ingredients? Do flapjacks freeze well?
Hi there Marley, for a healthy option I’d say scratch this flapjack and run for the hills!!! I squirmed quite a bit when it added up all the carbs for this recipe. However, if you want energy and quick this is for you. Adding flax, chia or any seeds rich in vitamins would be a great idea (remember to mill them first to benefit from all the goodness). Regarding protein powders, you need to be a label hunter to find a brand that is gluten free and dairy free (if this is necessary) many have may contains which can still effect those on restricted diets. If you do plan to add protein powder then I recommend going easy on first attempt, too much and the flapjack will become too dry and crumbly rather than deliciously chewy. I’d say start with two scoops of protein powder (60g) and see how you get on. let me know how thing pan out Marley and good luck. Rebecca x