Friday 31 August 2012

Hit The Road (Flap) Jack


On a blue day there is no pick me up like baking and the smell of spiced flapjack wafting through the house could cheer up Scrooge, who needs a scented candle when you have a cupboard full of ingredients? 

I always feel weird on these in between days when summer can't quite decide whether or not to hand over to autumn, and since the boy is away until Monday on a Greek adventure, today was the day to bake an indulgent treat. Flapjack is the easiest thing to make, my batches are all a little different depending on my mood - years of flapjack practice means I tend to go by eye when it comes to measurements and then add a little of whatever I fancy to bring some extra flavour. In summer I tend to add orange zest or dried fruit, today felt like a ginger, honey and nutmeg day with a twist of black pepper for warmth. Black pepper I hear you say? Yes, really. Don't ask me how I first tried it - I'm fairly sure it was an accident but subtle though it is, I'm convinced it adds something. Once the butter, syrup and sugar were melting away and I had tuned into Jazz FM my mood took a definite turn for the better and - magically - I'm all smiles once again. Miracle food is flapjack, honestly. 

On another note - today is the final chance to vote for Beautiful Clutter in the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards 2012 - you can vote via the button in my sidebar and you'll find me halfway through in the Lifestyle category. Once again, thank you to the clutterbugs who threw my name into the hat, it has been a shock and a thrill to be shortlisted!

25 comments :

  1. Those look delicious! And you are so right - nothing warms the soul like a warm kitchen!

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  2. I'm glad you found your antidote to bad moods! Those flapjacks look extremely yummy!! Lovely photographs too xxx

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  3. I love black pepper on 'sweet things' I've had black pepper ice cream before and it was lovely! This has definitely got me in a baking mood too!
    Flap jacks tomorrow I think! :)
    Daniella x

    http://daniella-r.blogspot.co.uk/

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  4. Your flapjack sounds amazing, right up my alley. I've never made a good flapjack, they're either too floppy and fall apart or rock hard and break your teeth. Also, any time I bake with golden syrup I end up eating way more than necessary off of the spoon. My mouth watered reading this xx

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  5. Ooh yes! Must try the back pepper with my next batch. Love the step by step pics! I like putting before and after photos on my blog.

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  6. Ooh these sound nice, I always find flapjacks too sweet so I can see how pepper would definitely add something good! Also your post title is genius, I really want to tell a flapjack to hit the road... and fingers crossed for the Cosmo awards, I totally voted for you :) xxx

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  7. i love this tutorial...so yummy
    3lin

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  8. Sounds delicious! I sometimes hear other Americans calling pancakes 'flapjacks'... different on your end :) Your photos are so lovely Jem! xx

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  9. gorgeous photos and I love the twist on flapjack (and the awesome title!) yum, yum yum!! x

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  10. They look amazing & your pictures are so nice! xo

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  11. Cooking up a storm Jem! I love homemade flapjack straight out of the oven, nothing beats the rich flavour and crunch! Yum xxx

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  12. Lovely photos, they look yummy! :)xx

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  13. These look delicious! I've been wanting to make my own flapjacks for ages, but am even more so inclined after reading your post:) Might have to turn on Jazz FM as well!

    blueeyednightowl.blogspot.com/

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  14. Oh how I love a good flapjack!! I think you're right about it being miracle food >.<

    Baking always lifts my spirits and like you I tend to be a bit seasonal in what I make. I'm feeling quite "nutty" (sometimes literally?!) at present, something to do with Autumn (the very best time of year, I believe) and harvest and wholesome-ness! :D xx

    P.S Love your pictures I can almost smell the golden syrup baked goodness ;)

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  15. Gorgeous pictures! Going to have flapjacks on my mind all afternoon now :)

    http://ladyeleanorsblog.blogspot.co.uk/

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  16. That looks delicious! Now I'm hungry LOL

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  17. Looks so yummy, I want to make some myself now. You have such a lovely blog!
    xo Natasha
    http://thenightiswild.blogspot.co.uk

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  18. Flapjacks are so lush, love the idea of adding fruits in to make it more Summer-y xoxo

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  19. I love your blog so much - I hope you don't mind but I have nominated it for A lovely Blog Award - the details can be seen here http://thenostalgiaexchange.wordpress.com/ Thank you for all your lovely posts

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  20. this post made me tummy make a noise its never made before, flapjacks are perhaps the one and only food my mummy can make and hers are just divineeeee I need to persuade her to whip me up a batch! If I could vote for you an extra 100 times I would xoxo

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  21. You've already had my vote lovely, I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed for you. Flapjacks remind me of my Dad, he went through a big phase of making them when I was at school (he learns one recipe at a time, then practises ad infinitum!). They were generally rock hard mind you...

    Actually, he's a black pepper addict so I might suggest this addition to him!
    xx
    PS. Sorry have not been around much lately

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  22. Mmmmmm yum. I'm definitely going to make these.

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  23. These look oh so good. Hope you won on the blog award!

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  24. Looks very tasty, and has reminded that it's been ages since I last had a flapjack. Shall have to remedy that!

    The Judas Tree

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