[Beetroot Queen]

Tried a buckwheat flapjack and its ok, but only ok

I used buckwheat flakes, dairy free marg, raisins, apple, syrup
Can someone help with amounts, it did stay firm but not firm enough, I am guessing the marg was the cause of that.
Buckwheat has an unusual flavour so I'd like some fruit to counteract that.

Happy to fiddle with recipes but the flakes aint cheap so I'd like as much help as possible first
Thanks all.

[RJR_38]

What amounts do you use? I make flap jacks weekly for the hubby's packed lunches:

250g rolled oats
125g butter
60g syrup
50-60g sugar
200g (ish) of dried fruits or nuts

Most important thing in making those firm is to press the whole mixture down really firmly with metal spoon before cooking. Then I won't  even attempt to cut them until they have chilled overnight in the fridge - guaranteed firmness (and I have tried all variations in between). I have used dairy free marg before in the same recipe with no problems but I have never worked with buckwheat.

'Strong' flavoured dried fruits that might work - glacé cherries, cranberries or fresh rhubarb chopped small

[Beetroot Queen]

Ok will keep you posted, never thought of rhubarb and we have plenty.  thanks

[grinling]

saw this and thought of you
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/23/buckwheat-recipes_n_3795721.html

[Beetroot Queen]

Thanks willgo and have a looky now. Xx

[allotmentann]

Not sure if buckwheat will behave the same as oats but l struggled to make a decent flapjack for years. Cant tell you how many recipes and methods l have tried and they all came out crumbly or rock hard. Never nice and chewy and holding together. Anyway l have discovered two things - the ingredient quantities have little effect. One is that you only melt things together very gently just to mix them. No boiling etc. (I have even read of people who do no melting at all just mix the  ingredients). The second thing is that baking temperature and times are the biggest factor in the final texture. For a softer, chewier flapjack cooler is better and less time. Remove from oven when they seem underbaked. Also forget scoring whilst warm - you only need to do this if you like rock hard flapjack.
Having said that there is one more thing. Flapjack only work with at least some proportion of the cheaper finer oats. All the good steel cut ones won't hold together. You can use them but you need to grind them down some first. You may need to do the same with your buckwheat if the flakes are large.
And yes the tip about leaving in the tin overnight is a good one.

[lettice]

Not too sure from looking it up, if buckwheat is a good substitute for oats.
I bake flapjack every other week, so quick and easy to make.
This is an old recipe handed down many generations.
Never had it crumbly or rock hard.

I use the asda smartprice porridge oats
I also use the 'I cant believe its not butter' type of butters for this, but not melted, so you have to work it straight from the fridge with your hands.

Porridge oats 8oz (222g)
Demerara sugar 6oz (175g)
Butter 6oz (175g)
A tablespoon of golden syrup
A pinch of salt

Add all the ingredients and mix well.
Put into a tray 12inch x 8 inch (30cm x 20cm). Pat down with back of a spoon very hard.
Bake at 190c for 30 minutes
Take out of the oven and make cuts in rectangular shapes approx 4 inch x 2 inch (10cm x 5cm) and let to rest for 15 mins in the baking tray.
Then, take out of baking tray and rest on a wire rack to cool.
They then stay moist.

I have used a white sugar only and a white/brown sugar mix too, same quantities, all that happens is it turns out a lighter colour.

Fairly recent pics from when I last made it.

[Beetroot Queen]

Brilliant i will not be defeated 

[RJR_38]

Not sure if buckwheat will behave the same as oats but l struggled to make a decent flapjack for years. Cant tell you how many recipes and methods l have tried and they all came out crumbly or rock hard. Never nice and chewy and holding together. Anyway l have discovered two things - the ingredient quantities have little effect. One is that you only melt things together very gently just to mix them. No boiling etc. (I have even read of people who do no melting at all just mix the  ingredients). The second thing is that baking temperature and times are the biggest factor in the final texture. For a softer, chewier flapjack cooler is better and less time. Remove from oven when they seem underbaked. Also forget scoring whilst warm - you only need to do this if you like rock hard flapjack.
Having said that there is one more thing. Flapjack only work with at least some proportion of the cheaper finer oats. All the good steel cut ones won't hold together. You can use them but you need to grind them down some first. You may need to do the same with your buckwheat if the flakes are large.
And yes the tip about leaving in the tin overnight is a good one.

These are exactly the same things I have found Ann! Usually with my oats I use a 50-50 ish mix of cheap value oats and whole rolled ones and they definitely have the best texture. It took me around 3 months of making a batch a week to get the exact recipe/method that worked and now I can do them in my sleep!

[chrissie B]

I find the cooking time is not long enough when i do flapjack i allways add 10 mins, maybe yours just needs a little more time we like ours crunchy .
chrissie b

[Beetroot Queen]

This is turning into the great flapjack challenge.

Wonder if Lardman fancies a challenge he always loves  to experiment.

[grinling]

115g chopped dried dates
90ml water
115g dairy free margarine (or butter)
2 tbsp molasses
55g almonds
55g sunflower seeds
225g buckwheat flakes

200c  20mins

[Beetroot Queen]

115g chopped dried dates
90ml water
115g dairy free margarine (or butter)
2 tbsp molasses
55g almonds
55g sunflower seeds
225g buckwheat flakes

200c  20mins

Can I sub almonds for raisins or something else. No nuts in this house. 

[grinling]

I find sultanas more juicy and put glace cherries in as well. I also put melted chocolate on mine.
Instead of molasses, honey or syrup would work.