Name: Christmas flapjacks recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: Makes: 16
Cuisine: British, Baking
Ingredients: 320g porridge oats; 80g mixed seeds (any combination of sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, hemp or linseeds); 40g dried cranberries; 40g dried figs, chopped with scissors; 80g raisins; 1/2 tsp cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground ginger; 1/4 tsp mixed spice; 100ml sunflower oil; 185ml honey or golden syrup

By Jessica Ransom

last updated 4 July 2023

in Recipes

Christmas flapjacks are a delicious alternative if you don’t like Christmas cake or mince pies but still want something sweet to enjoy over the festive period.

A flapjack recipe can be used at any time of year but these Christmas flapjacks are bursting with festive flavours. The trio of cinnamon, ginger, and mixed spice is often used in Christmas bakes such as gingerbread or Christmas pudding. Serve Christmas flapjacks instead of mince pies or package them up as a thoughtful homemade gift. This recipe is lighter in calories compared to other flapjack recipes or festive bakes because we haven’t used any butter.

Ingredients

320g porridge oats
80g mixed seeds (any combination of sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, hemp or linseeds)
40g dried cranberries
40g dried figs, chopped with scissors
80g raisins
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp mixed spice
100ml sunflower oil
185ml honey or golden syrup

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Method

Heat the oven to 180C (160C fan, Gas 4). Line a 20cm square tin with enough greaseproof paper to create a slight overhang.
Put the oats, seeds, cranberries, figs, raisins and spices into a large bowl and mix well.
Combine the sunflower oil and honey or golden syrup in a measuring jug. Warm in the microwave for 30 seconds before pouring over the dry ingredients. Stir well to combine.
Pour the mixture into the tin and press down firmly.
Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until the oats are golden. Leave to cool completely in the tin before turning out and cutting into 16 squares.

Top tips for making Christmas flapjacks

If you don’t like all of the ingredients in this recipe we have some festive alternatives that we think you’ll enjoy. We also have tips on who to bake these for and how to package them up as a gift.

What food to give as a gift?

These Christmas flapjacks make a beautiful edible gift. The shape of flapjacks makes them easy to wrap neatly and package into a gift box or simply wrap in baking paper and tie a decorative ribbon around them. If you want some more inspiration, we have lots of homemade food gift ideas.

Other flavours to try for Christmas flapjacks

Try adding some chopped citrus peel to the flapjack mixture for another boost of Christmassy flavour. Chopped cherries, pecans, and crystallised ginger would also make lovely additions. Try dipping the base of the flapjacks in dark chocolate or drizzle it over the top instead.

What to make coworkers for Christmas?

These Christmas flapjacks will no doubt be a huge hit with your colleagues. Be conscious of any allergies they might have and perhaps avoid nuts as this is a common allergen. If you use golden syrup the flapjacks are vegan and gluten-free so this increases the likelihood that more people will be able to eat and enjoy your homemade bake.

Flapjacks are a good choice because they are easy to package and aren’t too fragile so you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged on your commute.

You need a 20cm tin to bake these Christmas flapjacks. If you are gifting the flapjacks you could include the tin and a handwritten note with the recipe on as part of the gift. Once the recipient has finished the flapjacks you baked, they’ll be able to make their own.

Chef Aid 20cm Non-stick Square Cake Tin - View at Amazon

At the time of writing this tin costs just £4. With the ingredients needed to make the recipe it will likely all come in at under £10 which is a great value option for gifting during the festive season. We would recommend baking the flapjacks in the tin then once cool, remove and slice into bars and wrap in baking paper.

Clean the tin then secure the wrapped flapjacks inside and decorate with a ribbon around the outside. Complete the gift with a handwritten note and consider writing out the recipe so your recipient can remake the flapjacks at another time.

We have lots of Christmas recipes you will enjoy cooking over the festive period and our Christmas recipes for kids make a great activity to keep little ones entertained. For an all-year round treat, consider baking our chocolate flapjacks.

Jessica is a freelance food writer, stylist and recipe tester. She previously worked as Senior Food Writer at Future. While at Future Jessica wrote food and drink-related news stories and features, curated product pages, reviewed equipment, and developed recipes that she then styled on food shoots. She is an enthusiastic, self-taught cook who adores eating out and sharing great food and drink with friends and family. She has completed the Level 1 Associate course at the Academy of Cheese and is continually building on her knowledge of beers, wines, and spirits.