Mary Berry flapjacks recipe | Cooking with my kids (2024)

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A really easy recipe for Mary Berry flapjacks. With only 4 ingredients, they’re super simple making them perfect for kids and beginner bakers.

Mary Berry flapjacks recipe | Cooking with my kids (1)

Mary Berry Flapjacks are a classic bake that you can’t really go wrong with. With only 4 ingredients, not only are they easy, they’re really quick to make, making them the perfect bake for kids.

My kids love flapjacks and I don’t blame them – they’re really moreish! We’ve tried a few different flapjack recipes – we’ve got a healthier version with no refined sugar and added dried fruit and a really indulgent chocolate flapjack – but this recipe is just a really simple, traditional flapjack. It reminds me of the flapjacks I used to make when I was little.

How can kids help to make Mary Berry’s flapjacks?

This really is so simple so they’re perfect for even young children and toddlers who want to bake something. I think the best easy recipes for children are quick and only use a few ingredients so these flapjacks fit the bill perfectly.

Your kids can enjoy measuring out the ingredients and mixing them all together. You can do this just with a mixing bowl and wooden spoon which also means you don’t need any special equipment.

Why did my flapjacks not stick together?

If you find your flapjacks a bit crumbly, it’s probably because your mixture is too dry. Increasing the quantity of butter or adding fewer oats should help.

Mary Berry flapjacks recipe | Cooking with my kids (2)

Are flapjacks healthy?

No, these ones certainly aren’t but they don’t pretend to be (don’t be fooled by the oats). There’s a lot of sugar and butter in flapjacks, so they’re by no means a healthy snack.

You can make flapjacks a bit healthier by removing the refined sugar and adding dried fruit. Our fruity honey flapjacks do exactly that and are a great alternative if you’re looking for something a little bit healthier.

Can you use honey instead of golden syrup?

Yes. If you don’t have any golden syrup you can swap it for an equal quantity of honey.

Why are my flapjacks hard?

Flapjacks can become too hard if you bake them for too long. You should remove them from the oven when they are a nice golden brown colour, before they turn too dark. They’ll be a little soft when they’re still hot, but will harden as they cool.

Why have my flapjacks stuck to the tin?

Flapjacks can stick to the tin or be hard to remove from the tin sometimes so its best to grease the tin and line it with baking or greaseproof paper.

The best way to do this to make the flapjacks easy to remove, is to cut a a long strip of baking paper and lay it one way in the tin, then do the same the other way. You should then be able to just lift it out.

Do you cut flapjacks when they’re hot or cold?

Mary Berry suggests allowing the flapjacks to cool slightly before removing them from the tin and cutting them.

I personally find it a bit easier to wait until they have cooled completely and hardened before removing them.

How do you store Mary Berry flapjacks?

Flapjacks will keep in an air tight container for up to a week.

Other flapjacks and traybakes

If you liked these simple Mary Berry flapjacks, why not try some of our other flapjack recipes or our easy traybakes:

Raspberry flapjacks
Raisin and honey flapjacks
Millionaires shortbread
School cake
Banana and chocolate chip bars
Apple flapjacks
Tottenham cake

Useful equipment

You might need the following baking tools/gadgets to make these flapjacks:

Digital scales
Mixing bowl
Measuring cups
23 x 30cm baking tin
Cake storage

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Mary Berry flapjacks recipe | Cooking with my kids (3)

Ingredients

225g (1 cup) butter or margarine
225g (1 cup) demerara sugar
75g (¼ cup) golden syrup
275g (3 cups) porridge (rolled) oats

How to make Mary Berry’s flapjacks

Preheat your oven to 160C / 140C Fan / 320F and grease a 23 x 30 cm (9 x 12 inch) baking tin. Line the base and sides of the tin with baking / parchment paper to make it easier to remove from the tin later.

Melt the wet ingredients together

Get your kids to measure the butter and sugar and add them to a small pan.

Measure the golden syrup. If you are using digital scales you can set your pan on them and get your kids to add the golden syrup straight in. This way is a bit easier and less messy.

Mary Berry flapjacks recipe | Cooking with my kids (4)

Heat your pan on a low heat until everything has melted. If your kids are old enough to be trusted next to the hob, they can use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir it all together.

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Measure the porridge oats

While the butter mixture is melting get your kids to measure out the porridge/rolled oats an add them to a large mixing bowl.

Mix everything together

Pour the melted butter mixture over the porridge oats and get your kids to stir it all together. Keep mixing until all the oats look like they’re coated in the melted mixture.

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Bake the flapjacks

Tip the oat mixture into your prepared baking dish then press it down with the back of a spoon or spatula. Make sure you press it down well into the corners and edges.

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Bake the flapjacks in the oven for 35-40 minutes. They’re ready when they’ve turnerd a nice golden brown colour. You don’t want to leave them in the oven for too long – if they turn too dark they can be a bit hard.

Mary Berry flapjacks recipe | Cooking with my kids (11)

Remove the flapjacks from the oven and leave them in the tin to cool. Once they’re cool, remove them from the tin, cut them into squares, serve and enjoy.

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Mary Berry flapjacks recipe | Cooking with my kids (13)

Mary Berry flapjacks

Mary Berry flapjacks recipe | Cooking with my kids (14)cookingwithmykids

A really easy recipe for flapjacks from Mary Berry. With only 4 ingredients, they're super simple making them perfect for kids and beginner bakers.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Snack

Cuisine scottish

Servings 20

Calories 162 kcal

Equipment

  • 225g (1 cup) butter or margarine

  • 225g (1 cup) demerara sugar

  • 75g (¼ cup) golden syrup

  • 275g (3 cups) porridge (rolled) oats

Ingredients

  • 225 g (1 cup) butter or margarine
  • 225 g (1 cup) demerara sugar
  • 75 g (¼ cup) golden syrup
  • 275 g (3 cups) porridge (rolled) oats

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 160C / 140C Fan / 320F and grease a 23 x 30 cm (9 x 12 inch) baking tin. Line the base and sides of the tin with baking / parchment paper to make it easier to remove from the tin later.

Melt the wet ingredients together

  • Measure the butter, sugar and golden syrup add them to a small pan.

  • Heat your pan on a low heat until everything has melted.

Measure the porridge oats

  • While the butter mixture is melting measure out the porridge/rolled oats an add them to a large mixing bowl.

Mix everything together

  • Pour the melted butter mixture over the porridge oats and stir it all together. Keep mixing until all the oats look like they're coated in the melted mixture.

  • Bake the flapjacks

  • Tip the oat mixture into your prepared baking dish then press it down with the back of a spoon or spatula. Make sure you press it down well into the corners and edges.

  • Bake the flapjacks in the oven for 35-40 minutes. They're ready when they've turnerd a nice golden brown colour.

  • Remove the flapjacks from the oven and leave them in the tin to cool. Once they're cool, remove them from the tin, cut them into squares, serve and enjoy.

Keyword traybake

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Similar recipes

If you liked these flapjacks you’ll love our Biscoff millionaires shortbread, our simple traybake recipes as well as our favourite easy recipes for kids.

This recipe was first published in February 2016 and reposted with new images and an updated recipe in February 2021.
Mary Berry flapjacks recipe | Cooking with my kids (2024)

FAQs

Why do my flapjacks always fall apart? ›

Why do my homemade flapjacks fall apart? This can happen if you overcook or undercook your flapjacks. When you overcook a flapjack, the golden syrup dries out and it becomes crumbly. An undercooked flapjack will have a raw doughy texture that doesn't hold its shape.

What happens if you put too much syrup in flapjacks? ›

For me, too much golden syrup makes them hard to bite through and dunking is simply not an option with flapjacks. Golden syrup can also make flapjacks sickly sweet. Cooking times and oven temperature are important.

Why are my flapjacks not fluffy? ›

Over mixing: Over mixing the ingredients can cause the gluten in the flour to become overdeveloped, which can make the flapjacks tough and crumbly. Over cooking: If you cook your flapjacks for too long, they may become dry and fall apart. Using too much dry ingredients: If you add too much dry ingre.

How do you make flapjacks hold together? ›

How to make flapjacks stick together and not crumble. Splitting the oats in two and blending half into a flour really helps everything stick together. It is also vital to really press the mixture into the tray before you cook. And resist the temptation to take them out of the tray when they are warm.

Why hasn't my flapjack stuck together? ›

cold cutting might well be the solution! I also find mine hold together better if when I'm melting the butter sugar and syrup bit, I let it bubble for a minute. These are good tips! I've had problems with flapjacks being a pile of (delicious) crumbs, and I cant believe it's the recipe as Nigella is usually so reliable!

How do you stop flapjacks crumbling? ›

After five minutes cooling, press the flapjacks with something heavy and flat (this compresses them and stops them falling apart). Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. They will keep for a week to 10 days in an airtight container and freeze really well.

Can you rescue crumbly flapjacks? ›

Allow to cool completely once cut and store in a biscuit tin to keep them as fresh as possible. If your flapjacks appear to be extremely crumbly when cutting, score the top of the bake immediately and put them in the fridge or freezer for a short period to firm up.

How do you know when flapjacks are done? ›

Press evenly into the baking tray and bake on a high shelf in the oven for 15 minutes. The flapjack will still feel soft. Leave to cool in the tray for 5 minutes and then lift the baking paper up and out of the tray to cool completely. Cut into bars and enjoy!

Why are my flapjacks dry and crumbly? ›

Too crumbly - oats too large or too many additions if you're adding nuts and fruit etc, use the small cheap oats, or grind them with a pestle and mortar. Also flatten the mixture down well in the tin. Rock hard! - baked too long, when the flapjacks come out of the oven they should still be bubbling a little.

Why are flapjacks unhealthy? ›

Flapjacks contain high levels of sugar, syrup and butter, meaning it shouldn't be mistaken as a food that has many health benefits but rather as a delicious treat to have in moderation.

Should I cut flapjack hot or cold? ›

You then pop the mixture into a lined tin and bake in your pre-heated oven for about 20-25 minutes. Let your flapjack cool completely before removing it from the tin and then cut into individual portions of your desired size.

Why is flapjack so hard? ›

Flapjacks can go hard if the temperature is too high when heating the butter, sugar and syrup mixture on the hob. Instead, keep it on a low heat, stirring occasionally. During baking, rotating the tray in the oven can help them cook more evenly.

Can you use maple syrup instead of golden syrup? ›

Yes, maple syrup can be used instead of golden syrup in many recipes, however this will result in a slightly different flavour. Golden syrup and maple syrup are generally substituted in a 1:1 ratio, however you may choose to use slightly less maple syrup to maintain texture and consistency.

What's the difference between pancake mix and flapjack mix? ›

What is the difference between a flapjack and a pancake? In the UK, flapjacks are made from sugar, butter, and oats, and they are usually served with honey. Pancakes are made from a fried batter that is usually made from eggs, buttermilk, flour, salt and a dash of baking powder.

How long will homemade flapjacks keep? ›

Run a knife round the edge to release the flapjack, leave for 5 minutes, then mark into bars or squares. Leave in the tin until nearly cold before cutting into pieces and removing to a wire rack. The flapjacks will keep in an airtight tin for up to 10 days.

Can you Rebake crumbly flapjack? ›

Kave taken it out of oven and it is all crumbly and dry. Can I remake it with something to bind it together? Like syrup or something? Syrup will do that, yes.

Should flapjacks be soft when they come out of the oven? ›

Press evenly into the baking tray and bake on a high shelf in the oven for 15 minutes. The flapjack will still feel soft. Leave to cool in the tray for 5 minutes and then lift the baking paper up and out of the tray to cool completely. Cut into bars and enjoy!

Does flapjack harden as cool? ›

Bake the flapjacks for 25 minutes for a chewy result or 30 minutes for a crunchy one, and in both instances until the mixture is set and golden. Leave to sit and cool for about five minutes, then cut into squares and leave to cool completely in the tin; the flapjacks will harden as they do so.

Should flapjacks be runny when cooked? ›

Put it in the oven for 20-25 minutes. It should look a bit runny still, because it will keep cooking in the tin for another five minutes. Leave it to cool for ten minutes and then cut it into 12 pieces.

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