I make the most delicious flapjack but it ever gonna win no beauty contest!

[Finedon.Dandy]

I was shown how to make flapjacks by a friend (sher showed me approximate amounts) and after the first successful bake, I now make a batch a week. Its a bit of a shame that the kids dont like it as (and this is probaly why ) its got lots of dried fruit and seeds in it and so is quite healthy. The trouble is when I go to cut it, it just falls apart into crumbles which are tasty nonetheless but its not very practical when taking on picnics and the like. I dont like shop bought flapjacks as I find them too claggy in the mouth (if you know what I mean) but I much prefer to make my own anyway as you then know what sins have gone in! Any suggestions please?

2 tablespoons golden syrup
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter/marg
this is all melted into a pan until liquid and sugar has melted, then
2 tablespoons seeds
2 tablespoons sultanas or similar
the I add oats until just to the point where the oats start to stay white rather than absorb any moisture.
bake at around 180 for 20/25 mins
leave to cool in tin for 10 mins
remove from tin and cut into portions, leave till cool then store till required.

[HeyWayne]

Give it a bit of a squish when you put it in the tin?

[Finedon.Dandy]

Give it a bit of a squish when you put it in the tin?

What with?... my feet? Seriously though....done that!

[coomber]

could be adding to many oats?

[zazen999]

Hi Tammy

Usually flapjacks and hobnobs [which I am making tonight] don't set because the syrup/sugar hasn't been heated enough when melting. I usually melt mine and let it bubble a bit before adding the oats etc.

I've never had a batch crumble on me; but if you do it too much it does tend to go a little more solid.

I also cut mine in the tin and leave until cool; rather than take them out before cool.

[ChocClare]

My recipe is 4oz butter, 4oz sugar (i just use white), 2 tblsps golden syrup, all melted in the pan; then add seeds (handful of - I don't add fruit as I don't like it in flapjacks) and (supposed to be) 5oz oats but like you, I just shove them in the pan till it looks right. I usually make double this quantity. I then cook it on Gas 3 or 4 for about 25 mins until it's golden brown. This week it was on Gas 7 for 15 mins as it was in with the roast when I was cooking Yorkshire pudding. It doesn't seem to make much difference!!!

So it's all basically the same except I use more butter and sugar than you. I also cut it in the tin while it's still hot and don't spread it out too thin.

Mine is chewy with crunchy bits. NOT like shop-bought which is just bleh - much chewier than that.

Is it worth a) trying it with a bit more butter or b) making it in a smaller tin so it's slightly thicker/chewier?

[Finedon.Dandy]

Thanks for all the advice - am going to experiment but def think need more butter and syrup poss more sugar and make it thicker and cook for longer.