Dairy and Sugar-free Fruity Flapjacks

For the last few months we've been weaning our (now not so) little baby. Its been messy. I have never had to mop our kitchen floor quite as much as I have since January. It starts the day sparkling, as though auditioning for a kitchen cleaner commercial and ends the day covered with splodges of puree and squished chunks of fruit and vegetables, all congealed together in a small lake of water from the baby's beaker.

Despite the mess, it is great fun as the baby has a ferocious appetite. She adores her food, impatiently banging on her highchair when I've not prepared her food quickly enough, reminiscent of a character in Oliver or a contestant in Man Baby-Vs-Food. 

I was keen to bake a little something for the hungry munchkin but as she has a milk allergy I needed to do a little research before getting out the greaseproof paper and switching the oven on. 

I'm certainly no deliciously ella but these are quick, easy and perfect for using up storecupboard ingredients. The baby has been enjoying them as finger food, mushed up with a little oat milk for breakfast and, of course, as another thing to throw into the food lake beneath her highchair.

Fruity Flapjacks (dairy and sugar free)

2 medium bananas
1 apple, peeled and grated
0.5 tsp cinnamon
180g oats
100g dates, finely chopped
85g dried apricots, finely chopped
100ml olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan/Gas Mark 3. Graese and line a 20cm square tin with baking paper
2. Mash the bananas in  large bowl and add in the apple and cinnamon. Stir in the oats and dried fruit and finally add in the oil, mixing thoroughly until the ingredients are nicely binded together. You may need to add a little extra oil or water if the mixture appears a little dry
3. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden. Leave to cool in the tin before cutting into squares

Baker's Notes...

• These are great for adding a variety of dried fruit too- simply raid your storecupboard for inspiration!
• When my husband and I bit into them we did miss the sugar- more a relfection on our dietary habits than these flapjacks I suspect... 
• Stored in an airtight container, they will keep for up to three days
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