Summer fruits flapjacks – A delightful mix of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blackcurrants, sandwiched between crunchy oats in this easy to follow flapjack recipe.
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There is nothing more glorious that seeing a shop full of glistening summer berries just waiting to be taken home and devoured. Often they’re simply devoured with lashings of cream but sometimes its nice to do something a little different with them. Flapjacks are one of my favourite ways to make them most of beautiful berries whether they’re fresh or frozen.
Flapjacks are a perennial kid favourite and this layered version is an ideal way of sliding some fruit into their diet. That isn’t to say that these are only for children – I don’t know an adult that wouldn’t fight for one.
We all know that a great flapjack is totally versatile – from throwing one into a lunchbox, sitting down with a nice cup of tea and a treat, to buffets, picnics and even emergency car snacks. They also make an ideal option for a bake-sale.
If fresh berries aren’t in season or you just fancy a more autumnal flavour, give my Apple Crumble Flapjacks a try instead.
Summer Berry Flapjacks FAQ
- What berries are considered summer berries?
- Can I use one just one or a different mix of the berries to the recipe?
- Will frozen fruit work in the recipe?
- Can I use this recipe to make jam filled flapjacks?
- Can I use honey instead of golden syrup?
- My flapjacks are too crumbly – what did I do wrong?
- How to store flapjacks and how long will they keep?
- Can I make the fruit flapjacks vegan?
- What are these summer fruits flapjacks free from? Who are they suitable for?
- More recipes featuring summer berries that you might enjoy
What berries are considered summer berries?
The exact mix of berries in a summer berry mix can vary. In the UK, mixes will often contain blueberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, blackberries, strawberries and/or raspberries in varying quantities.
Can I use one just one or a different mix of the berries to the recipe?
The idea of this recipe is that you create three layers. Two layers of flapjack that sandwich the fruit in the middle. You can therefore make this recipe with any fruit (or other filling) you fancy.
Any mix of berries will work, you can even use just one fruit.
Will frozen fruit work in the recipe?
Yes you can use frozen berries to make flapjack. Because frozen berries release a lot of liquid when cooked, it is best to defrost the berries then drain any liquid away before using.
Don’t throw the liquid away, add it to a smoothie, add sugar and boil it down to make a syrup that you can serve with the flapjacks or simply drink it.
Can I use this recipe to make jam filled flapjacks?
If you fancy making these flapjacks but don’t have fruit to hand then you can easily substitute in a layer of jam instead.
Fresh or frozen fruit needs to be heated to remove some of the liquid and to make it mushy so the texture it is actually very similar to a rich fruity jam.
Can I use honey instead of golden syrup?
Whilst I haven’t tested this variation of the recipe, it is usual that honey can be used instead of golden syrup in most flapjack recipes. I would therefore expect this to work but I cannot guarantee the results. Let me know in the comments if you try it.
My flapjacks are too crumbly – what did I do wrong?
Flapjacks still feel soft when they come out of the oven and become harder as they cool. Because of this it is easy to panic and bake them for a little extra time. This can dry out the flapjacks and make them crumbly.
Another possible reason if that the mixture isn’t pressed into the baking tin firmly enough. This can mean that the mixture bakes into clumps rather than into one bar.
Lastly, if you try to take the flapjacks out of the tin before they are fully cool, they can start to break apart and look crumbly. Make sure to be patient so this doesn’t happen.
How to store flapjacks and how long will they keep?
Flapjacks can be stored in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks.
They do not need to be refrigerated but if it it is summer or especially hot where you are, they may become overly soft so popping them into the fridge may be a good idea. Just make sure to take them out the fridge a little while before serving so they can come back up to room temperature.
Can I make the fruit flapjacks vegan?
The only non-vegan ingredient in this recipe is the butter. By replacing the butter with a plant-based butter substitute, you can easily make vegan berry flapjacks.
What are these summer fruits flapjacks free from? Who are they suitable for?
The ingredients I used to make this recipe are all free from the following allergens. However, please check any labels carefully for allergens you need to avoid as brands can vary and product recipes can change over time.
- Suitable for Vegetarians
- Gluten-Free (please check your oats are gluten-free as some contain gluten due to the manufacturing process used)
- Egg-Free
- Nut-Free
- Peanut-Free
- Sesame-Free
- Soya-Free
- Sulphur Dioxide & Sulphite-Free
- Lupin-Free
More recipes featuring summer berries that you might enjoy
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Summer Fruits Flapjacks
INGREDIENTS
- 150 g strawberries
- 150 g raspberries
- 150 g blackberries
- 150 g blackcurrants
- 250 g unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp golden syrup
- 100 g light brown muscovado sugar
- 500 g oats
INSTRUCTIONS
- Pre-heat the over to 190ºC/170ºC fan.
- Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. I used a 20cm x 26cm tin.
- Remove the stems from the blackcurrants and strawberries
- Put the fruit (600g in total) in a large pan and cook on a low heat until the fruit is soft (around 5 minutes), stirring occasionally to prevent it burning.
- Meanwhile put the butter (250g), golden syrup (4 tbsp) and light brown muscovado sugar (100g) into a large pan and cook on a low heat until the butter has melted, stirring occasionally.
- Once the butter has melted, remove from the heat, add the oats (500g) and stir until fully combined.
- Once the fruit has softened, drain off the excess liquid and mash it a few times so it is mushy but still has quite a few lumps. The fruit should now look like a rich fruity jam in texture.
- Place half of the oat mixture into the pre-lined tray and push down firmly to form an even layer – you must push down firmly to ensure that the flapjack doesn’t fall apart when you remove it from the tin later.
- Add the fruit to the tin and spread to form an even layer.
- Add the remaining oat mixture and press firmly into an even layer.
- Place in the oven and cook for 20 minutes until the flapjacks are golden in colour and slightly darker around the edges.
- When the flapjacks are cooked, remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, transfer to a wire rack to cool thoroughly.
- Once cooled, slice into 12 equal sized slices.
- Serve.
NOTES
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Any nutritional information provided is the estimated nutritional information per serving. Please refer to my guide to Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen nutritional information if you would like to learn more about how this is calculated.
Julia says
Once made, can they be frozen?
Charlotte Oates says
Yes! Flapjack freeze really well.
Sue Humphreys says
What a brilliant yummy recipe, this is the third time I’ve made these and everyone loves it, especially the grandchildren!!
Holly says
Hi Charlotte
Really want to try this recipe, but unless I’ve missed it, I can’t find any mention of the size of baking tray used. Can you please advise?
Charlotte Oates says
Thank you for pointing this out, I have now added the tin size. I used a 20x26cm tin. Anything around this size will work fine.
Carolyn says
Excellent recipe! I use it to help with my glut of blackcurrants, and use honey rather than syrup because that’s what I have in (also just use white caster sugar). As blackcurrants are very tart I also add a couple of tablespoons of sugar to them when I am cooking them. Thank you for this recipe.
Jane says
Can these be made vegan?
Charlotte Oates says
The only non-vegan ingredient in this recipe is the butter so if you use a plant-based butter substitute, you can easily make vegan flapjacks.
Maria James says
I made this with 600gms frozen blackcurrants left in the freezer from last Summer.
It was excellent and worked really well.
Samantha Pembroke says
You can also use sweet mince meat( mince pie filling) so yummy
Jan says
These are incredible! I used frozen summer fruits as that’s what I had in. I heated them first to lose some of the liquid. I will try these again with other flavours. I also tried some with a yoghurt topping which is half quanity natural yoghurt to melted white chocolate, it’s delicious either way!
Emma says
Hi Charlotte I have lots of blackberries to use up could I just use this one type of fruit here and if so would I just total up the fruit quantities and use equal amount of blackberry instead ? Also would a mix of blackberry and Apple work? Thanks
Charlotte Oates says
Either of those is fine as long as you keep the weight of the fruit roughly the same as given in the recipe.
Jilian says
I made this with a bag of frozen summer fruits from the freezer , worked a treat , just defrosted, drained and gently mashed , so easy .
Great recipe, tastes fab , thankyou . A family family has been discovered .
Nikki says
I have no golden syrup, could i substitute honey for golden syrup? would the quantity still be the same as syrup?
these look lovely!
Charlotte Oates says
I’ve not tried it, but it should be fine.
Mayko says
2nd time I am making this as it’s just so delicious! And easy to make!
Kayleigh Childs says
I have just made these for my son. So easy to make. Taste delicious. Mine fell apart tho
The bottom layer amd the fruit were perfect
The top just breaks up. I pressed it firmly still broke up. I’m using this batch as like a fruit crumble with custard but would love to make these right so I can use them as finger food. Any tips would be great thanks xx
Charlotte Oates says
Were the flapjacks completely cool before you moved them from the tin? If you move them while they’re warm they tend to crumble.
Kayleigh Childs says
I let them cool but thinking about it they were still a little warm ish. I’ll leave them in the cupboard to go completely cold next time. Think I was too excited to try them lol. Thanks hun xx
L says
These look amazing but unfortunately costs sooo much for fresh fruit. Would this work with pre made jam as a cheaper alternative?
Charlotte Oates says
You could use definitely a layer of jam instead of the fruit.
Kayleigh Childs says
You could always use the frozen summerberries from the supermarket. I just used them and worked out perfectly. Its a couple of quid for 500g xx
Amy says
Really good – gooey and delicious!
Mel says
I don’t like flapjacks but the kids love them! I must make an effort to make some for my little monkeys. xx #TastyTuesdays
Charlotte Oates says
Yes you should – your poor deprived children!
jenny paulin says
oooh I saw these on IG and thought how scrumptious they looked! yummy x
Charlotte Oates says
I always wondered if anyone ever came over from Instagram, now I know 🙂
Becki says
Ha! I have the very same reputation! Although, I am the only one who cooks so I guess they can’t complain either way.
I love a good flapjack. These look gorgeous!
B x
Charlotte Oates says
Jon’s reputation is completely justified. I’m sure he could cook other things, he just chooses not to!