Festive Flapjacks: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Feasting and Gifting

When Christmas rolls around, there's nothing quite like homemade treats to get everyone into the festive spirit. One such delightful treat is the humble flapjack. 

Simple, sweet, and versatile, flapjacks are perfect for a spot of indulgence during the holiday season or for gifting to loved ones. 

With just a few added festive touches, you can transform these oaty delights into something truly special for Christmas.

Ingredients:

For the flapjacks:

200g butter or vegan margarine

200g light brown sugar

4 tbsp golden syrup

400g rolled oats

50g dried cranberries

50g chopped pistachios (or any festive nut you prefer)

1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground nutmeg

For the topping (optional but highly recommended!):

100g white chocolate, melted

Festive sprinkles, dried fruit, or extra nuts for decoration

Method:

Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or gas mark 4. Line a 20x30cm baking tin with greaseproof paper, ensuring the sides are covered so you can easily lift out the flapjacks later.

Melt the Butter, Sugar, and Syrup

In a large saucepan, gently melt the butter, sugar, and golden syrup together over a low heat. Stir occasionally until everything is combined into a smooth, golden mixture.

Add the Festive Flavours

Once the mixture is melted and combined, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the ground cinnamon and nutmeg for that signature Christmas warmth. Then, add the oats, dried cranberries, and chopped pistachios. Mix everything thoroughly so the oats are evenly coated.

Press into the Tin

Pour the mixture into your prepared baking tin and press it down firmly with the back of a spoon, ensuring it’s evenly spread across the tin.

Bake

Place the tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges turn golden. The flapjacks will still be slightly soft in the middle, but they’ll firm up as they cool.

Cool and Decorate

Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the flapjacks to cool in the tin for about 10-15 minutes. After that, carefully lift them out using the greaseproof paper and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Drizzle with White Chocolate

For an extra festive touch, drizzle the cooled flapjacks with melted white chocolate. You can do this by pouring the chocolate into a small piping bag or simply using a spoon to create zigzag patterns. Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle your festive decorations—sprinkles, extra dried fruit, or chopped nuts—on top for a bit of added flair.

Cut and Serve

Once the chocolate has set, cut the flapjacks into squares or rectangles, and they’re ready to enjoy!

Perfect for Gifting

These festive flapjacks also make for a wonderful homemade gift. Wrap a few pieces in cellophane bags, tie them with some ribbon, and pop them into a Christmas hamper. You can also box them up with a handwritten note, making them a thoughtful and delicious gift for friends, family, or neighbours.

Customise Your Flavours

The beauty of flapjacks is that they’re so easy to customise. Want a chocolatey twist? Swap out the white chocolate for dark chocolate. Prefer a different dried fruit? Try chopped dried apricots or raisins. You can even add a hint of orange zest for that fresh citrus zing, which pairs beautifully with the warm spices.

A Festive Feasting Delight

Whether you’re enjoying these flapjacks with a cup of mulled wine, packing them into lunchboxes for a Christmas picnic, or gifting them to loved ones, they’re sure to be a hit. Rich, buttery, and infused with festive flavours, these flapjacks will become a holiday favourite in no time.

So, this Christmas, why not whip up a batch of these festive flapjacks to share? After all, nothing says "season of giving" quite like homemade treats straight from the heart.