The exploration of new food combinations is all well and good, but finding new applications for old pairings can be equally exciting – after all, they are old and well-used for a reason. As I expect we all know, it is eminently possible to unite chocolate and hazelnuts to devastating effect and this flapjack recipe, in my opinion, certainly does so, taking their relationship to stratospheric levels. However, be warned, no quarter is given to healthy eating here – these are full-fat and flavourful. I direct those of you looking for something a little easier on the waistline to this recipe for chewy granola bars.

Hazelnuts suit chocolate down to the ground, perhaps more than any other nut – they are soul mates. Happily, their flavours and textures meld perfectly both within and without flapjacks. The taste and feel of jumbo oats proved to be a most suitable platform for the combination under consideration, with each individual ingredient permitted to shine. Indeed, the success of this recipe can be fully attributed to complete harmonisation – feel free to seek confirmation of this with my taste buds.

Chocolate and Hazelnut Flapjacks {recipe}

Makes 18-22 bites

Ingredients:

• 400g jumbo oats

• 200g butter, preferably salted

• 100g granulated sugar

• 50g light brown sugar

• 4 tbsp golden syrup

• 80g hazelnuts, very roughly chopped

• 50g dark chocolate

Method:

1. Grease and line a square cake tin roughly 30cmx30cm and preheat the oven to 170C. Melt together the butter, sugars and syrup in a pan. Place the oats in a large mixing bowl and tip in the melted mixture. Tip in the hazelnuts and combine with vigour. Press firmly into tin.

2. Bake the flapjacks for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and caramelised. Set aside to cool completely before cutting into 18-22 bites. Melt the chocolate over a pan of boiling water and drizzle over the top. Enjoy!

Cost: Oats are incredibly cheap and particularly filling, making these an impressively frugal treat. Indeed, all things considered, this entire batch of delicious chocolate covered hazelnut flapjacks should set one back no more than around £3.60. Trust me, they will go far!