Oaty snacks - cooking advice

purple_mara

I've been trying out a couple of the oaty snack recipes on the site as I wanted some lunchbox snacks that are vaguely nutritious (oats are good for you, just don't think too much about the sugar and fat!), but it's all going rather wrong.

I tried http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=469504&postcount=100 but it came out greasy and crumbly. Although very nice, I had to eat it with a spoon which isn't really too good for my lunchbox.

I also tried the one on this page ( http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=249758&highlight=oats#post249758 ) but I got a couple of biscuit-like biscuits and a tray full of crumbs.

Any ideas what am I doing wrong? My only recipe amendment is using soya margarine instead of butter as I don't eat animal products.

thriftlady_2

I'm not sure about soya marge, but I found that when I made flapjacks with marge instead of my usual butter they were much more crumbly. So it could be your marge.

andrealm

I make flapjacks at 190 degrees and bake for 20 minutes

andrealm

I also use a tablespoonful of golden syrup, maybe this helps bind them togerther. Are you letting them cool in the tin before cutting them? if not this might be why they are crumbling

apprentice_tycoon

I've used Magentasue's recipe and altered it slightly, I found it too buttery so I altered the oats to 10oz not 8oz and cut the sugar down a little too.

I've made Trow's recipe a few times too and found it works well just as it is, they roll out nicely and bake well, I've never used soya marge so I wonder if you need to adjust anything?......

thriftlady_2

andrealm wrote:

I also use a tablespoonful of golden syrup, maybe this helps bind them togerther. Are you letting them cool in the tin before cutting them? if not this might be why they are crumbling

This is a good point, for flapjacks especially you must let them cool completely in the tin before getting them out.

purple_mara

Thank you for your suggestions. I do let flapjacks cool completely in the tin so that's not the problem. I'll try adding some syrup to the mixture (if I can cope with the hardship of eating more flapjacks while I try and get this right!).

flourgirl

try this recipie for oaties. I've been making them for years

150gm Marg
150gm Lard
3 teaspoons golden syrup
9 teaspoons boiling water
150gm Oats
300gm SR Flour

Chuck it all in the kenwood and mix together. Place heaped desertspoons onto
lined baking tray allow for spreading, bake 170*c until golden brown. Leave on tray for a few mins to firm up then place on cooling rack to crisp up. If they are still soft in the middle they are still yummy just like flapjack. Makes loads and really cheap.
Iv'e tried loads of times to make flapjack and failed miserably.