These delicious vegan cherry bakewell flapjacks taste just like cherry bakewells - the sweet almond flavour contrasts with the tart cherry conserve. The vegan white chocolate on top is the finishing touch to these gooey sweet treats.
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I am a huge cherry bakewell fan - if you have seen my vegan cherry bakewell tart recipe you'll know this already! There is something about the flavour combination of cherry and almond that I just love, so any excuse to make something in this flavour combination and I'm there! There is a restaurant near us that does a cherry bakewell flavoured cocktail - guess what I order when I visit?! These flavours just really elevate the ordinary flapjack for me.
Ingredients
There's no denying it - these aren't the healthiest flapjacks, but a treat every once in a while is good for balance, right?! The brown sugar and golden syrup are what give these chewy flapjacks their gooey goodness. Don't skip the almond extract as it really helps with the flavour, but make sure to use almond extract and not almond essense for a truly authentic flavour.
I used a dark cherry compote in this recipe - the flavour works so well with the delicious almond and the tart cherry flavour just takes the edge off the sweetness. Again, go for a decent quality cherry compote - the depth of flavour is worth it.
You will need:
- porridge oats
- ground almonds
- vegan butter
- soft light brown sugar
- golden syrup
- almond extract
- cherry compote
- flaked almonds
- vegan white chocolate
For exact quantities see the recipe card below.
How to make vegan cherry bakewell flapjacks
Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees celsius and line a 8 inch square baking tin with greaseproof paper. Melt the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a large saucepan on a low heat and add the almond extract.
Add oats, ground almonds and stir to combine.
Put half the mixture into the bottom of the prepared tin, pressing down firmly.
Smooth over the cherry compote in an even layer, making sure to go right to the edges.
Cover with the remaining oat mixture. Do this carefully so as to not disturb the cherry layer too much. Press down gently with the back of a wooden spoon.
Sprinkle with the flaked almonds and bake for 25 minutes or starting to brown. The bake time might vary slightly depending upon your oven.
Melt the vegan white chocolate gently in a microwave or in a heatproof bowl over a pan of boiling water. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the cooled flapjacks. If you want them to look pretty you can do this in a pretty pattern.
When the flapjacks and chocolate are totally cool, slice into 16 pieces.
This is definitely a show-stopper bakewell flapjack recipe, you'd never be able to tell it's vegan, surprise your friends when you next bring these gooey flapjacks round for a sweet treat at a coffee morning! It's a great twist on the most loved flavours of a cherry bakewell - a real british flapjack!
Notes: Use porridge oats rather than instant oats. You can use jumbo oats but this will give your flapjack a rougher texture and it might not hold together so well. A good compromise would be a mixture of jumbo oats and porridge oats.
Vegan Cherry Bakewell Flapjacks Serving suggestions
- Afternoon Tea Treat
Serve these flapjacks alongside a cup of your favourite tea-Earl Grey or English Breakfast pair wonderfully. - Dessert Platter
Arrange them as part of a vegan dessert board with fresh cherries, strawberries, vegan whipped cream, and mini dark chocolate truffles. - Warm with Vegan Custard
Warm a flapjack slice gently in the oven or microwave, then pour over a generous serving of vegan custard for a comforting dessert. - Ice Cream Sandwiches
Create mini ice cream sandwiches by sandwiching dairy-free vanilla or cherry ice cream between two smaller flapjack squares. - Breakfast Treat
Serve slightly warmed flapjacks with dairy-free yoghurt and fresh berries for a decadent brunch. - Lunchbox Snack
Perfectly portable and sturdy, pop these flapjacks in lunchboxes or picnic baskets for an easy snack on the go. - Dessert with Cherry Sauce
Serve with additional warm cherry compote drizzled over the top of the flapjack, alongside vegan vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
Substitutions and variations
- Oats
- Substitute with gluten-free oats for a gluten-free version.
- Replace some of the oats with quinoa flakes for a higher protein option.
- Vegan Butter
- Substitute with coconut oil or dairy-free margarine for a different flavour or if vegan butter isn't available. You might want to adjust the quantities accordingly.
- Golden Syrup
- Replace with maple syrup or agave nectar for a different sweetness profile.
- Sugar
- Substitute soft brown sugar with coconut sugar for a lower GI option.
- Almond Extract
- Vanilla extract or almond essence can be used if almond extract isn't available.
- Lemon zest adds a lovely citrus twist if almond flavour isn't desired.
- Cherry Compote
- Replace the layer of cherry jam with raspberry jam, strawberry preserve, or blackberry compote.
- Apricot jam provides a deliciously tangy alternative.
- Vegan White Chocolate
- Substitute with vegan dark chocolate drizzle or skip chocolate entirely for a simpler flapjack.
Recipe Variations:
- Chocolate Cherry Flapjack
- Mix vegan dark chocolate chips into the oat mixture or scatter on top before baking for a chocolate twist.
- Coconut Bakewell Flapjack
- Add shredded coconut into the oat mixture and sprinkle additional coconut flakes on top for extra texture.
- Nutty Bakewell Flapjack
- Stir chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans into the oat mixture for a delicious nutty crunch.
- Fruit and Seed Flapjack
- Mix dried cranberries, raisins, or blueberries with pumpkin or sunflower seeds for a more nutrient-dense bar.
- Orange Cherry Bakewell
- Add fresh orange zest to the oat mix for a zesty citrus flavour that complements cherries wonderfully.
- Protein-Packed Version
- Stir a scoop of vegan protein powder into the oat mixture for an extra nutritious boost.
These variations can easily tailor your flapjacks to dietary preferences, tastes, or ingredients you have on hand. Enjoy experimenting!
FAQ's
Can I freeze vegan cherry Bakewell flapjacks?
Yes! Allow them to cool completely, then wrap the cooled flapjack slices in greaseproof paper and freeze in airtight containers or zip-lock bags for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before serving.
Are cherry Bakewell flapjacks gluten-free?
Not usually, but they can easily be adapted. Simply use gluten-free oats, and ensure all other ingredients (like baking syrup, flavourings, and chocolate) are labelled gluten-free.
What can I use instead of golden syrup?
You can substitute golden syrup with maple syrup, agave nectar, rice malt syrup, or vegan-friendly honey alternatives. Note this may slightly alter the taste and texture.
How should I store vegan cherry Bakewell flapjacks?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to two weeks or freeze as mentioned above.
Why did my flapjacks crumble apart?
They may crumble if they haven't been pressed firmly into the pan, or if not enough syrup or vegan butter was used. Ensure the ingredients are measured accurately and firmly pressed down before baking.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of cherry compote?
Yes, fresh cherries can be used. Simply pit and chop fresh cherries, cook them down gently with a little sugar and lemon juice until thickened into a compote consistency.
How many calories are in a vegan cherry Bakewell flapjack?
A typical vegan cherry Bakewell flapjack (one-sixteenth of an 8-inch tray) contains approximately 200-250 calories, depending on specific brands and ingredient quantities used. A nutritional guide to this recipe is in the recipe card.
What size tin should I use for these delicious cherry Bakewell flapjacks?
An 8-inch (20cm) square baking tin is ideal for flapjacks. You can adjust quantities accordingly for larger or smaller tins.
Can I make these flapjacks nut-free?
Yes, omit the ground almonds and almond extract. Use extra oats to replace ground almonds and substitute vanilla extract for almond extract. Also, omit the flaked almonds topping.
Can I make these flapjacks without sugar?
You can reduce sugar by using mashed ripe banana, date paste, or extra syrup. Completely omitting sugar alters texture, but these natural sweeteners can be a good alternative.
📖 Recipe
Delicious Vegan Cherry Bakewell Flapjacks Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 flapjacks 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These delicious vegan cherry bakewell flapjacks taste just like cherry bakewells - the sweet almond flavour contrasts with the tart cherry conserve.
Ingredients
400g porridge oats
80g ground almonds
250g vegan butter
140g light brown sugar
150g golden syrup
2 tsp almond extract
5 tbsp cherry compote
20g flaked almonds
50g vegan white chocolate
Instructions
Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees celsius and line a 8 inch square baking tin with greaseproof paper. Melt the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a pan and add the almond extract.
Add oats, ground almonds and stir to combine.
Put half the mixture into the bottom of the making tray, pressing down firmly.
Smooth over the cherry compote in an even layer, making sure to go right to the edges.
Cover with the remaining oat mixture. Do this carefully so as to not disturb the cherry layer too much. Press down gently.
Sprinkle with the flaked almonds and bake for 25 minutes or starting to brown.
Melt the vegan white chocolate gently in a microwave or in a heatproof bowl over a pan of boiling water. Drizzle the chocolate over the cooled flapjacks.
When the flapjacks and chocolate are totally cool, slice into 16 pieces.
Notes
Use porridge oats rather than instant oats. You can use jumbo oats but this will give your flapjack a rougher texture and it might not hold together so well. A good compromise would be a mixture of jumbo oats and porridge oats.
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