It wasn’t until the summer before my junior year in college that I learned that a “flapjack” is more than just another name for a pancake. It’s actually a whole other type of food –a kind of sweet oat bar. That summer, I did a study abroad program in Cambridge, England and in addition to developing an addiction to afternoon tea, I think I also may have eaten my weight in these delicious little bars!
On the surface, flapjacks don’t look that exciting—in fact, the first time I was given one, I thought it was just some boring granola bar. But I quickly learned that there is something magical about the combination of baked oats, butter, and golden syrup that make up a flapjack. I tried all sorts of different kinds that summer—some with dried fruit and nuts and of course some of the fancier chocolate-dipped varieties!
After a fantastic flapjack-filled summer, it was definitely hard to return to the US. I couldn’t find anything similar at the grocery store and didn’t think to make my own, so for years I was quite flapjack-deprived. However, recently one of my best friends (who I actually did the summer program with) got a job in London and rekindled my love for flapjacks by sending me several in the mail.
Since I don’t think I can ask my friend for weekly flapjack shipments, I decided to try satisfying my craving by making my own. These cranberry flapjacks were my first attempt and we were quite pleased with the results. They disappeared pretty quickly too, so I’m sure another batch will be in the works soon.
Since I stuck to the original recipe pretty closely, it is probably best to send you to the source. The one change I did make was stirring in a handful of dried cranberries before baking the flapjacks. I’m sure the recipe would also be good with other additions. Enjoy!
Tasty Easy Healthy Green Recipe Ratings:
| Recipe Report Card | Notes About Recipe Ratings |
|
Tasty Rating Four Chefs (Delicious!) |
This flapjack recipe was very similar to what I remember eating in the UK. |
|
Easy Rating
Four Easy Chairs (“ABC, Easy as 123…”!) |
With a recipe this easy, I could make flapjacks all the time (probably not the healthiest idea though)! |
|
Healthy Rating
Two Apples (Surgeon General’s Warning!) |
Eating your weight in flapjacks is not a good idea—they are kind of heavy on butter and sugar. |
|
Green Rating
Three Leaves (Average Environmental Friendliness) |
Several of the ingredients were organic, but not local and the golden syrup was definitely not from around here (its often hard to find in the US, but I was able to find it at my local supermarket). |
I also thought that a flapjack is a kind of pancake
This flapjacks look so yummy! Great for a breakfast on the go!
I’ll have to give this a try. I was expecting pancakes.
You’ve taught me something about flapjacks that I didn’t know. Yours look great!
They look very appetizing! I had no idea what a flapjack is.
Awesome recipe!
Happy Halloween :),
Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
Sally, I never heard of flapjacks…totally new to me.
They sure look good especially with cranberries.
Hope you have a wonderful week ahead
I must admit, I was a tad bit confused when first reading the title, since the only flapjack I know of is a pancake. These sound well worth a try though =)
I’ve never had any kind of flapjack other than the pancake kind but I’d love to try these magical bars! Yours sound and look delicious!
Congrats on replicating a perfect UK flapjack! Let me know if you need another shipment. I’m sure I can find other flavors for you to try! Miss you!
Well, it looks like I am with you and most everyone else – I thought a flapjack was a pancake as well! Since both Bobby and I work from home, we are always having afternoon tea, so I might just have to surprise him with these flapjack. I think we both would love them. Thanks for the recipe and for clearing things up!
wow, I never knew this about the word flapjack – good to know!
Who knew a flapjack wasn’t a pancake!! We are hosting Thanksgiving this year and I’m def going to make these for people to snack on. Thanks!
[...] the highlights though were the incredible desserts we had all along the way, including Welsh cakes, flapjacks, hot chocolate loaded with marshmallows, a “millionaire” bar, and scones and clotted cream. [...]