Date and banana flapjack recipe

As with all our recipes, allowing your child to do as much of the process themselves, where appropriate, will support their learning and development. So, think about how they can help you, perhaps they can scoop, weigh, mix or chop independently, as this is where the real learning comes in!

What you need

• 60g Pitted dates
• 80g unsalted butter 
• 4 tablespoons honey 
• 250g oats
• 200g Overripe bananas 
• Optional – 2 tsp of cinnamon and 30g raisins 
• Heatproof bowl for soaking dates
• Saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• Oven proof baking tin
• Greaseproof paper
• Large mixing bowl

What to do

1. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees celsius, or Gas Mark 3. 
2. Line a baking tin with greaseproof paper - a square or rectangle tin with deep sides is ideal.
3. Cover the dates with a few spoons of boiled water so they can soften. Set aside.
4. Melt together the butter and honey in a pan. Set aside to cool slightly. 
5. Blend the bananas and soaked dates in a blender until combined. 
6. Combine fruit with butter, honey and oats and stir together. If you choose to add cinnamon and/or raisins add those at this point.
7. Smooth into a baking tin, keeping it as even as possible in depth.
8. Bake in the oven until golden brown (approx. 30 minutes). 
9. Leave the flapjacks in the tin until cool then cut into portions, serve and eat!
10. Store left over flapjacks in an airtight container.