These maple, pecan and chocolate bars are the product of my constant note taking when eating any kind of baked treat. The notes section on my phone is overflowing with light-bulb ideas in the middle of the night, childhood favourites to recreate and ingredients I’ve deciphered mid-chew. Some could say baking obsessed, I prefer passionate…!
The chocolate bars are inspired by an unassuming treat sitting by the tills in Abokado – similar to Itsu they serve up sushi, salads, hot noodles and a handful of baked treats. I picked up their Maple & Pecan bar on a whim, not expecting much more than a quick treat for pudding. But I LOVED it! It had a gorgeously moist biscuit base which was bursting with flavour and a really thick layer of dark chocolate on top that provided a delicious snap. I just knew that I needed to recreate it and whilst I haven’t created an exact replica, I love how the chocolate bars have turned out!
My chocolate bars have quite a flapjacky taste and texture, but with the added crunch of chopped pecans and crushed digestives. I’ve also substituted some of the golden syrup out for maple syrup, which goes perfectly with the chopped pecans. Although the inspiration for these bars was more biscuity than flapjacky, I actually really like the additional texture that the oats provide. Is there anything better than the buttery smell of flapjacks baking either??
One thing I didn’t change at all was the thick layer of dark chocolate on the bars. I really think dark chocolate is a must here, as it balances out the sweetness of the flapjack base. I would also always advise buying the best quality chocolate you can when it is simply being melted onto a bake. It really does make the world of difference! For reference, I always use Green & Blacks cooking chocolate.
The chocolate bars are super simple to make and are almost a one bowl job! I did leave mine overnight in the fridge to set, but its not essential. So long as the chocolate is hard you will be able to cut them into neat little rectangles. Just be careful they’re not all gone the same day, as they’re so moreish!!
Maple, Pecan & Chocolate Bars
Ingredients
Base
- 90 g plain digestives about 6
- 75 g pecans
- 60 g light soft brown sugar
- 250 g rolled oats
- 200 g unsalted butter room temperature
- 115 g golden syrup
- 50 g maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Topping
- 200 g dark chocolate
Instructions
- For the base: Preheat the oven to 150C/130C Fan and grease and line a 23cm square baking tin, then set aside. Crush the digestives into small pieces and chop the pecans roughly and then add them both to a large bowl. Then add the sugar and rolled oats and set aside until needed.
- In a large pan, stir the butter, golden syrup, maple syrup and vanilla over a low heat until blended together. Then take off the heat and pour into the dry mixture, mixing well. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking tin and bake for 30 minutes or until the surface is lightly browned. Then place onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the topping: Melt the chocolate over a bain-marie ensuring that the base of the bow doesn't touch the water. Then pour onto the cooled base and spread evenly with a palette knife.
- Leave to set for 2 hours and then cut into 12 rectangles.
These are amazing! Great recipe! So delicious
I’m so pleased you like them Jeremy! 🙂
Aimee x