Festive flapjacks with candied fruit and cherries and some brandy!

I absolutely adore flapjacks, or 'jackflaps' as my friends call them and I do tend to make them quite frequently. They are ever so quick and easy to make and are ideal for snacking on. The great thing about this recipe is you can always add different variations. I find that sometimes with all the fruit and syrup it can be a bit 'too sweet' for some or I'm rather conscious of the amount of sugar used so I use honey instead of syrup to try to convince myself its a bit healthier...



Ingredients for flapjacks:-

125g butter
125g dark brown sugar
6tbsp syrup
225g rolled oats
pinch of salt
1tsp ground ginger
100g mixed dried fruit
25g glace cherries chopped
3tbsp brandy

Method:-

Set the oven to 180C or gas mark 4. Prepare and line 12 inch baking dish with greasproof paper, leaving some paper hanging over the sides.

Melt the butter, sugar and syrup in a pan on a low heat. Add the rolled oats, ginger, mixed fruit, cherries and mix in to the mixture. This will look a bit dry, so add the brandy. The mixture will be a soft consistency, but not runny.

Bake on the top shelf for 15 mins, or until golden brown. Leave to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. Cut into squares, but still keep in the tin. You should be able to get 12 decent sized squares out of this mixture.

When warm to the touch, but not hot remove from tin, using the excess paper.

Serve immediately and enjoy....