Flapjacks

 The ultimate British tea-time treat! I grew up eating these. When we could come back from school at around 4, my mum would always make sure that tea & something sweet was on the table. I grew up having four meals a day - breakfast, lunch, tea and supper. What I thought was quite normal to me, is not common most places! Even now when its 4 in the afternoon, I always need a cup of tea and something sweet to eat alongside. As I have grown older I've more and more stuck to the tea and quite often the snack alongside hasn't featured. I think its something I associate with home. The recipe uses golden syrup - a classic British baking ingredient. I haven't managed to find it anywhere in the Netherlands apart from expat supermarkets - where unfortunately its quite expensive. So when I come home from the UK I always bring some back with me. Golden syrup also tastes great on vanilla ice-cream! This recipe comes from my mum and it makes around 16 flapjacks. 

These flapjacks are

• Easy to make 
  
  
• Deliciously gooey 
  
  
• Ready in less than 30 minutes 
  
  
• Can be customised by adding in sultanas, chocolate chips or nuts! 
  
  
• Make the perfect tea time treat 
  
  

Ingredients 
Measurements are in UK ounces! The general rule of thumb for this recipe is the amount of oats is equal to the amount of sugar and butter combined. So for example, 250g oats, 125g butter and 125g sugar would also work. You can add more or less of the golden syrup depending on how gooey you what them. 

12oz rolled oats
6oz demerara sugar or natural cane sugar
6oz unsalted butter
4-6 tbsp golden syrup 
Pinch salt
Optional: dried nuts, chocolate chips, sultanas and/or raisins 

Method

• Preheat your oven to 180° / 160° Fan.
  
  
• Take a large bowl and combine the rolled oats, sugar and a pinch salt. If using, also add your dried fruit, nuts and/or chocolate chips. Set aside 
  
  
• Take a small saucepan and melt the butter and golden syrup over a low heat. 
  
  
• Once melted, make a well in the oat mixture and pour in the golden syrup and butter. Combine well, ensuring that each oat flake is coated. 
  
  
• Press the mixture evenly into the baking tin and ensure that the surface is flat. 
  
  
• Bake in the centre of your oven for around 15 minutes until golden brown and gooey. 
  
  
• When the flapjacks are still hot, cut unto 16 squares. Leave the flapjacks mixture to almost cool completely before removing from the tin. They will keep cooking slightly, if you remove then straightaway then they could break. 
  
  
• Enjoy with a cup of tea!