Flapjack Off

I have quite the competitive streak. So when my boyfriend suggested that he could make a better flapjack than me, I was straight in the kitchen ready to take him up on his challenge.

We both used the same basic flapjack mix (I wasn't going to take it that seriously);

makes a dozen decent sized flapjacks

500 grams rolled oats

210 grams vegan margarine

160 grams brown sugar

4 table spoons maple syrup

By melting the margarine in a sauce pan. Once melted adding the sugar and maple syrup and stirring until fully dissolved. To this we mixed through the oats.

OK, now down to the competition.

We halved the mix and added our own ingredients

My Flapjacks

+

1 handful chopped figs

1 small handful chopped pecans

1 small handful pistachio nuts

His

Layer of raspberry jams sandwiched between two layers of flapjack

We then baked the flapjacks for 15 minutes in an oven heated to 170 degrees C

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The verdict?

Well of course I am going to say mine were the best. But jam flapjacks were delicious, great for dessert whereas my fig and nut are great for mid morning treat.

Maple Pecan 'Cheesecake'

OK, I got a bit carried away and removed it from its baking tin whist still hot. So it may not be the prettiest of cheesecakes but if I do say so myself, this vegan maple syrup and caramelised pecan cheesecake tastes pretty good!

Maple syrup cheesecake

with caramelised pecans and caramel sauce

Cheesecake:

Ingredients:

base:

1 packet of hobnob biscuits

50 grams vegan margarine (melted)

1 tablespoon maple syrup

top:

2 x 255 gram packets dairy free cream cheese (I used Original Sheese)

85 grams maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon corn flour

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C and lightly grease a 10-15cm round cake tin.

2. To make the base place the biscuits in a food processor, process until crumbled and add the melted margarine and maple syrup. Press down into a prepared tin.

3. For the topping, place the cream cheese into a mixing bowl and stir through the maple syrup, vanilla and cornstarch.

4. Once thoroughly mixed, pour the topping onto the base and place in the oven to bake for 45 minutes.

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Caramel Sauce:

Ingredients:

50 grams dairy free butter

125 grams raw brown sugar

70ml soya milk

1 heaped table spoon cornflour

Method:

1. Melt the butter in a small pan

2. Once melted, add the sugar and bring the mixture to the boil, stirring constantly.

3. Remove from the heat and immediately add the soya milk and corn flour. Stir until evenly mixed.

4. Return the mixture to heat and cook for a couple more minutes to thicken.

Enjoy.