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Pecan, Date and Chocolate Chip Flapjacks


I must admit that I rarely eat flapjacks, and I have never actually made them before. On the rare occurrences that I have indulged, I've thought them OK. Nothing special, and probably deceptive in terms of how healthy they are. With one of the main ingredients being oats, you'd think that they were healthier than other sweet treats. But then you factor in the butter and sugar, along with any other ingredient you want to chuck in, and suddenly they are not so healthy.


But still. When I saw some in my local supermarket the other day, I was intrigued. They were 'Date and Chocolate Flavour'. I was taken with the idea of dates and chocolate, but not so much the 'chocolate flavour', from which I inferred real chocolate was not going to be part of the deal. Bad memories of 'Scotbloc' from my school cookery lessons came to mind. (And yes, I am old enough to remember having proper school cookery lessons). Scotbloc was some kind of cake covering that you melted - supposedly like chocolate - but which didn't really taste of chocolate. Not good.


So I thought I would break my flapjack duck and have a play around. These are the result, and, even if I say so myself, I was really pleased with them. Actually, they are bloomin' gorgeous! I took some in to work with me this week, and they vanished pretty quickly. They are easy to make, and the date and chocolate give a rich flavour, while the pecans add crunch and nuttiness. Something I'll certainly be trying again as they are pefect as a lunchbox treat. Here's what I did.

Pecan, Date and Chocolate Chip Flapjacks

Ingredients (makes 16 large ones)

100g pecan nuts, roughly chopped
120g dates, stoned and chopped
100g dark chocolate chips (mine were about 54% cocoa)
200g unsalted butter, diced
200g light brown sugar
2 tbspn golden syrup
300g rolled oats (plain porridge oats are fine, just don't use the quick cook type)

Preheat the oven to 150 Fan / 170 Conventional / 350 C / Gas 4. Line a 20cm (8") square tine with baking parchment. 

Place the butter, sugar and syrup in a medium saucepan over a gentle heat. Melt, stirring, until you have a smooth sauce and the sugar has dissolved. Leave on one side to cool slightly (I did this as I didn't want the chocolate chips to melt before the flapjacks were put in the oven).


 In a bowl, mix the oats with the pecans, dates and chocolate chips.


Once the butter and sugar has cooled enough to not melt the chocolate, pour it into the oat mixture and mix well. Ensure there are no dry bits of oats left. Turn the mixture out into the cake tin, and push down and into the corners.


Bake in the centre of the oven for about 40 minutes. Remove and place the tin on a wire rack. Allow to cool for 15 minutes, then cut into 16 pieces. Allow to cool completely in the tin.


Remove and then separate into pieces.


You could cut these into smaller pieces. You could ... but I'm not sure why you'd want to.

Enjoy,

Susie.

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Comments

  1. Kit @ i-lostinausten17 November, 2012 06:26

    YUM! These Flapjacks looks delicious; Love the combo of all the 3 ingredients that I adores! I've never make Flapjacks before & yes, very intriguing recipe for me too. Bookmarking this yummy recipe. Thanks for sharing & have a lovely weekend, Susie! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour24 November, 2012 18:27

      Thanks Kit - hope you like them! Thanks for stopping by! :)

      Delete
  2. Magnolia Verandah17 November, 2012 08:47

    These have turned out really really good. And all my favourite things - dates, chocolate and nuts. These are on my "to do" list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour24 November, 2012 18:28

      Thanks - I love the combination as well so I was really pleased they turned out well! :)

      Delete
  3. Unknown17 November, 2012 11:30

    wow, it's flapjack crazy out in blogland recently but I must say (very quietly as you never know who's listening) but these really look fabulous and I want them now... love that pic of all the ingredients mixed up, divine!... I WILL be making these!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown17 November, 2012 11:30

    wow, it's flapjack crazy out in blogland recently but I must say (very quietly as you never know who's listening) these really look fabulous and I want them now... love that pic of all the ingredients mixed up, divine!... I WILL be making these!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour24 November, 2012 18:30

      Lol - yes, you're right - lots of flapjacks to choose from if you're a flapjack fan! Thank you for your lovely comments, glad you like them. :)

      Delete
  5. Karen S Booth17 November, 2012 19:58

    I love the look of these Susie and I may try these out this coming week, to enjoy with an afternoon cuppa! Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour24 November, 2012 18:31

      Oh yes, I think they would be great with a cuppa! Thanks for your comment Karen. :)

      Delete
  6. The Caked Crusader18 November, 2012 17:17

    Yes please - I can just imagine how lovely it would be to bite into one of these!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Laura Loves Cakes18 November, 2012 17:58

    What a tasty combination...they look perfect for the lunchbox! I think you're so right about the faux health benefits...most flapjacks are laden with butter and sugar...but then that is what makes them so tasty! Yours look gorgeous! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour24 November, 2012 18:33

      Thanks Laura - yes I think you're right. Especially if it's good quality butter and ingredients. Thanks for visiting! :)

      Delete
  8. laura@howtocookgoodfood19 November, 2012 17:22

    Oh I could eat these up, packed full of tempting ingredients. Adding pecans and chocolate chips turns these into something pretty special!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lucy20 November, 2012 18:42

    These look dangerously moreish! Flapjacks are always so tasty, can't believe I haven't tried them with chocolate before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie @ Fold in the Flour24 November, 2012 18:35

      Hello Lucy - the chocolate chips definitely add a little zazz to them! :)

      Delete
  10. plasterers bristol07 September, 2016 18:32

    Yummy i love this recipe. they turned out great. Thanks.

    Simon

    ReplyDelete

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