Why Did My Flapjacks Burn?

Our answer

NIgella's recipe for Soot's Flapjacks (from HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS) is based on an old-fashioned recipe from a friend's mother. The flapjacks are cooked at 190c/170c fan/375F. This is a slightly higher temperature than some recipes but the flapjacks contain a far lower proportion of sugar and syrup than many flapjack recipes and instead are buttery and crunchy.

It is usually the sugar that darkens quickly in a flapjack recipe and it is highly unusual for the flapjacks to burn within 10 minutes of going into the oven, unless the oven was extremely hot. Unfortunately, as ovens vary, it could be that the oven runs a little hot, in which case it may help to reduce the temperature by 10-20c or 25-50F. Also, the pan should be on the middle shelf of the oven if you are using a standard (not fan or convection) oven. If the pan is made of thin metal then it may also help to line the baking pan with baking parchment as this will give a little extra insulation.