Peanut butter flapjack updates the classic oat bar with peanut butter and jelly flavours. Oaty. Syrupy, nutty and fruity – all in one bite.
Having spent some extended time in Florida in my student days, I’m rather partial to America, Americans and some of the classic American goodies on offer. These days, although I’m English, many of my readers are American. So, my American friends, past and present, this flapjack makeover recipe is for you – and it’s just in time for 4th July. This week I’m sharing with you my recipe for peanut butter flapjack and these bars come laden with a secret layer of jam.
I know that really I should be calling jam ‘jelly’ to be truly in keeping with the American slant I’ve given this recipe. However I am English and I’m here, in England, writing this post. I feel obliged to write as I talk: British-English not American-English. Two very different languages, it seems.
And while I’m on the subject, let’s clear up the term flapjack. Flapjack is the British-English term for what American-English labels oat bars. The word flapjack does exist in American-English but often refers to what we Brits call pancakes. So, to be crystal clear (and slightly anal), these so-called ‘peanut butter flapjacks’ are actually peanut butter oat bars. They are definitely not pancakes, but, haha, I think you’ve probably already worked that one out from the photographs.
I find all these variations in (supposedly) one language fascinating. It seems I’m not alone – take a look at this list. Out of the 38 food terms listed, I was aware of the Trans-Atlantic term for a paltry 14 of them. How embarrassing – can you fare better than me?
Anyway, back to those peanut butter flapjacks.
Imagine a hearty wedge of flapjack packed full of oaty and syrupy flavours.
Then imagine a bunch of friendly peanuts waltzing onto the scene. These peanut butter flapjacks are exactly that thought. Dense, buttery, syrupy, nutty – all those ingredients working together in harmony to make each bite perfectly balanced and delicious.
But this is more than peanut butter flapjack. This is peanut butter flapjack with a sneaky, ever-so subtle, layer of deliciously fruity jam peeking out of the middle. Essentially, it’s a peanut butter and jam sandwich transported into the world of flapjack. And that is a pleasant world to visit.
How to Make Peanut Butter Oat Bars
Oat bars are one of the easiest treats to bake and my peanut butter with jam flapjacks are no different.
- begin by melting the butter, syrup and peanut butter together in a large pan
- Stir until well mixed and then add the oats and vanilla extract
- Spoon approximately half of the oaty mixture into a prepared tin and push down firmly to completely cover the base
- Spread a thin layer of jam over the oats and then top with the remaining flapjack mixture, levelling off as before
- Bake until golden then slice and let cool in the tin
Easy. Absolutely no fancy skills or equipment are needed to make these peanut butter oat bars.
The great thing about food is that it doesn’t matter what language you speak. Jelly or jam. Flapjack or oat bar. The result here is the same.
Flapjack + Peanut Butter + Jam = happy times
This peanut butter flapjack is hearty, comforting and guaranteed to make you feel warm and fuzzy just at the right moment.
That moment came for me last weekend when I agreed to spend the night camping in the garden with my family. The rest of my family think that camping is the most wonderful and exciting adventure that they could possible take part in. I, on the other hand, like my home comforts… or those of a luxury hotel… I honestly don’t mind which. I am definitely not a natural for camping, which is why the pleasure I felt whilst devouring the final slice of this peanut butter flapjack, inside the tent, late last Saturday night, was just what I needed. The sweet, mellow syrup & chewy oats united with the nuts & jam transported me to a warm and very cosy place.
For a moment I was almost enjoying the camping experience…. But that’s a secret just between us.
If you have any more foodie terms that differ between American-English and British-English leave a comment & let me know.
Try these easy bakes too:
- No-Bake Mint Chocolate Fridge Cake
- Rocky Road Rice Krispie Treats
- Easy Vanilla Sponge Cake
- Chocolate Flapjack
Peanut Butter Flapjack
Ingredients
- 275 g/ 3 1/4 cups Rolled oats
- 175 g/ 3/4 cup Unsalted butter
- 75 g/ 5 tbsp Golden syrup
- 75 g/ 1/3 cup Light soft brown sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp Peanut butter (I used crunchy)
- 3 tbsp Grape jelly (or seedless raspberry jam)
Instructions
- Grease an 8 inch round baking tin with butter then line the base with baking parchment
- Preheat the oven to 170°C/ 325°F/ GM 3
- Put the butter, sugar, syrup and peanut butter into a large, heavy pan. Heat gently, stirring frequently until everything has melted & combined to form a deep golden liquid
- Take off the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and the oats until thoroughly combined
- Spoon approximately half of the oaty mixture into the tin and push down firmly to completely cover the base
- Spread the jam (jelly) over the oats
- Carefully top the jam with the remaining oat mixture - use a spoon to put small dollops across the jam and spread out using the back of the spoon. Ensure that all of the jam is covered to prevent it from bubbling up and that the oats are firmly pressed down
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Using a sharp knife, mark out portions on the flapjack. Run the knife around the edge of the flapjack to loosen it from the sides of the baking tin
- When completely cold, remove from the tin and cut out the marked portions
- Store for up to 3 days in an airtight tin
I am so making this.. 🙂
Did I ever tell you Jane I love your clics..
You make me feel so happy! I almost feel that I should have doubled the recipe as it was eaten up so quickly. Perhaps a good thing I didn’t though 🙂
Love your photos! This look fabulous, especially with a little jam–I’d love a slice 🙂
Thankyou June. I love anything involving something hidden – it’s that extra surprise to delight people with.
These look amazing. I love the photograph. Flapjack is one of my favourite things and the addition of a secret jam layer is amazing.
I knew a few of the foods in the list, but I feel a bit sad that Americans don’t call it a rasher of bacon.
You’ve got a wonderful blog here.
Hi Angela, thanks for your lovely comments. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Rasher is such a good word, but on the flip side, French Toast sounds so much more appetising than Eggy Bread (or fried bread omelette as I was brought up to call it)
I must admit when my American self read this post title (not here, maybe on Yummly?) I thought “Oops, they picked the wrong pic to go with the recipe!” Even though my American self has probably never uttered the word flapjack out loud. I call them pancakes. But I’m so happy to know what to call this recipe because I would have had no idea. And it looks and sounds so gooood. Without being too pushy, this would be a great post to link to #SaucySaturdays tomorrow.
Haha, I’m glad you’re now enlightened about our English Flapjacks. I have so many debates when writing (don’t get me started on my icing-v-frosting head debate). Hoping to stop by SaucySaturdays tomorrow if I get a few seconds.
Your flapjacks look so delicious. Having lived in England before moving to USA, it gets confusing at times about the difference terminologies so I totally get it!
Thanks Michelle. I just hope I generally use the right terms or manage to explain them 🙂
Wow, nice recipe and wonderful pics
Thanks Claudia
This looks delicious and healthy! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Byron. Pleased you like the look of it.
This is amazing! I’d be afraid I’d eat the whole thing!
Don’t tell, but I had more than my fair share. I found myself just cutting little bits off each time I made a cup of tea
These flapjacks look soooo yummy! I’m also English, so flapjacks will always mean oaty, syrupy goodness to me! I haven’t made them in so long though, gotta try this one!
Sounds like you’re making my flapjack and I’m making your macaroons. Fair swap!
I adore flapjacks but haven’t tried adding peanut butter to them yet, excellent idea, especially with the jam filling too. I feel the need to get baking now!
Hope you bake them soon Jen. They peanut butter does go very well with the other flavours in the flapjack and the jam, though just a thin layer, completes the flavour combo. Enjoy.
Finally got around to making this and, it was so good, I made it again the next week! This is absolutely delicious, very simple to make and scarily addictive! Fab recipe.
Thankyou Jo, I’m so pleased you’ve enjoyed it. That’s a good reminder for me to make it again.