Cherry flapjacks are wonderfully chewy, sweet, and bursting with juicy glacé cherries in every bite. Made with simple store cupboard ingredients like oats, butter and golden syrup, they come together quickly but deliver that classic rich, sticky texture that makes flapjacks so irresistible.
As they bake, the buttery syrup mixture melts into the oats, creating soft, golden layers with slightly crisp edges and a perfectly chewy centre. The cherries add little pockets of sweetness throughout, giving each bite a fruity lift that balances the richness beautifully. If you choose to add a touch of almond extract, it brings a subtle Bakewell-style flavour that works perfectly with the cherries.
If you love easy traybakes that don’t require much effort but still feel like a proper treat, these are ideal. They’re the kind of bake you can throw together with ingredients you probably already have at home, yet they always feel special.
Perfect for popping into lunchboxes, enjoying with a cup of tea in the afternoon, or grabbing as a quick, satisfying breakfast on busy mornings, these cherry flapjacks are a reliable favourite you’ll find yourself making again and again.
Recipe Breakdown
- ✅ Recipe Name: Cherry Flapjacks
- ⏱️Time: 40 minutes
- 🧑🍳Serves: 8 large bars or 16 small squares
- 💪Difficulty: Easy
- 🍴Ingredient Highlight: Glace Cherries
- 💛Why You’ll Love it: It’s the perfect easy traybake!
Flapjacks are one of my favourite things to bake. I love how easy they are, and the chewy, sweet oaty flavour can’t be beat. I’ve made many different flapjack recipes over the years, so don’t be surprised if they change a little from time to time, or if one of my recipes is a little different. I think we’re always learning and improving, and it’s normal for even well loved recieps to evolve over time.
Donna’s Notes
What’s the difference between a flapjack and a granola bar? Is it just that a granola bar sounds like an acceptable breakfast?! If so, call this a cherry bakewell granola bar recipe and enjoy yourself.
Why You’ll Love it
I make these cherry flapjacks all the time because:
- They’re super easy to make with minimal prep
- The cherries add bursts of sweet flavour in every bite
- They’re wonderfully soft and chewy (but easy to make crispier if you prefer)
- You only need simple, store cupboard ingredients
- They’re perfect for baking with kids
Ingredients, Variations and Substitutions
For these cherry flapjacks, you’ll need:
300g porridge oats
115g caster sugar (or light brown sugar)
35g golden syrup
180g butter (unsalted or salted)
1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
200g glacé cherries, chopped
Ingredient Notes
Oats
Use regular porridge oats for the best texture. Jumbo oats can make them crumble more easily, and instant oats can be too soft.
Sugar
Caster sugar works perfectly, but light brown sugar adds a slightly richer flavour.
Golden Syrup
This is what gives flapjacks their classic sticky texture and helps them hold together.
Butter
I usually use unsalted butter, but salted butter or even margarine works fine.
Almond Extract (Optional)
Cherry and almond is a classic combination. It gives a lovely Bakewell-style flavour, but you can skip it if you prefer.
Glacé Cherries
Chop them up well so you get a bit in every bite, and they don’t clump together.
Variations
Cherry and Almond Flapjacks – Add almond extract for a classic Bakewell flavour.
Cherry and Coconut – Replace a small handful of oats with desiccated coconut for a slightly different texture and taste.
For soft and chewy flapjacks: bake for slightly less time.
For crispier flapjacks: bake a little longer.
You’ll Also Need
You’ll need:
- A large mixing bowl
- A wooden spoon
- A small saucepan
- A baking tin (around 10 x 8 inches)
- Baking paper
How To Make Cherry Flapjacks – Step-by-Step Instructions
Full, easy-to-follow instructions and quantities are available in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step One
Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan-assisted) and line or grease a baking tin.
Step Two
Add the oats and chopped cherries to a large bowl and mix well. This helps stop the cherries from sticking together.
Step Three
In a saucepan over a low heat, gently melt the butter, sugar, golden syrup and almond extract (if using). Stir continuously and don’t let it boil.
Step Four
Pour the melted mixture into the oats and cherries.
Step Five
Mix thoroughly until all the oats are coated and the cherries are evenly distributed.
Step Six
Tip the mixture into your prepared tin.
Step Seven
Press it down firmly using the back of a spoon or your fingers, making sure it’s compact and level.
Step Eight
Bake for around 30 minutes, until golden brown.
Check after 25 minutes if you prefer a softer, chewier flapjack.
Step Nine
Leave to cool completely in the tin before slicing into bars or squares.
Expert Tips and Tricks for the Best Cherry Flapjacks
Don’t boil the butter mixture – keep the heat low so it melts gently.
Press the mixture down firmly – this helps your flapjacks hold together.
Chop cherries small – so they’re evenly spread throughout.
Adjust baking time to taste – shorter for chewy, longer for firmer flapjacks.
Let them cool fully before slicing – they firm up as they cool.
Leftovers and Storage
Store your cherry flapjacks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
They’re best eaten fresh, but you can also freeze them if needed.
FAQ
They contain oats and fruit, but also butter, sugar and syrup, so they’re best enjoyed as a treat.
Usually, this is because they haven’t been pressed down firmly enough, or they were cut before they had fully cooled.
They can become too soft, overly sweet, and may not hold together properly.
Other Recipes You Might Like
If you enjoy this glacé cherry flapjack recipe, you might also like a few other sweet treats. Try Air Fryer Jam Flapjacks for a quicker twist, or Blueberry Flapjacks for a fruity variation. Chocolate Flapjacks are perfect if you prefer something a little more indulgent, while Homemade Chocolate Hobnobs are great if you fancy a biscuit-style bake. You could also try Apple Flapjacks for a cosy, comforting flavour, Jammy Flapjacks for extra sweetness, or Bakewell Flapjacks if you love that classic cherry and almond combination.
Cherry Flapjacks
Ingredients
- 300 g Porridge Oats
- 115 g Caster Sugar
- 35 g Golden Syrup
- 180 g Butter
- 1 Teaspoon Almond Extract (Optional)
- 200 g Glacé Cherries (chopped into quarters)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C (fan-assisted) and prepare a baking tin by greasing or lining.
- Place the oats and cherries in a large mixing bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Carefully melt the butter, sugar, syrup and almond (if using) in a small saucepan over low heat on the hob, stirring constantly until the butter has all melted.
- Tip this mixture into the oats.
- Mix well, taking care to ensure the oats are all coated.
- Tip into the prepared tin.
- Press down and to the sides with the back of a spoon until the oats are compact and the top is level.
- Bake for 30 minutes until the top is golden brown.
- Leave to cool completely in the tin before cutting into bars or squares.
Notes
Any nutritional information is given as a general guide only and may not be accurate. The information is provided using an online calculator and is specific to my ingredients. Please make your own calculations if you want precise information.
