The ‘blue one’ is back in the poo again. Naughty at nursery and naughty at home. May be this is just a warm up for years of battle ahead, who knows. Bless him, he has an uncanny ability to talk his way, or at least attempt to, out of some of his most naughty scrapes! Can’t help thinking he may make a brilliant politician, take this example, and I have to admit this was pretty bad on the general ‘badometer’ scale. Blue one ‘Mummy why has she (that will be your sister dear) got a blue face’ …. Me: ‘Interesting question darling, that will be where you hit your sister with a broom, isn’t that awful, poor Miss A.’ Blue one; ‘I like her face being colorful’ !!! Oh lordy bee, he is utterly shameless, what am I going to do? On a brighter note, this is undoubtedly the age of questions; “Mummy, who made God?” is a popular one, as is the topic of marriage. Last friday I was witness to a particularly entertaining conversation; the blue announced his intention to marry me, at which stage the pink proclaimed she is going to marry her big brother (one of the gorgeous ones, not the little blue), I then inquired about Mr.P, who allegedly is down to marry the big brothers long-term girlfriend, slightly controversial but utterly fascinating. So having got a flavor of some of the enlightening chat I witness on a daily basis you may understand why my few sane moments are treasured and why cooking is just a wonderful nirvana that I try to squeeze into each jam-packed day. Breakfast, lunch and tea are really important to me and the ‘little people’ and though I don’t really partake in tea I often snatch the odd sweet thing on offer which brings me happily on to these fine flapjacks.

Time for tea and time for something just a little cheeky. These flapjacks have got a wicked twist in that they are made with black treacle and this elevates them to a truly superior place in my world. A pinch of salt and the addition of nuts and seeds make them just a little more complex than your average sickly sweet number. The ‘little people’ adore them and so do I – the perfect pick me up to see me through the bathtime bonanza and bedtime blitz. They are without question divine eaten on the day of baking, but of course will keep happily for a few days in an air tight container.

Black Treacle Seeded Flapjack

160g butter

80g black treacle

80g brown sugar

pinch of Maldon Sea Salt

20g sesame seeds

20g flaked almonds

20g pumpkin seeds

10g poppy seeds

225 jumbo porridge oats

Pre- heat the oven to 180.

1. Melt the butter, sugar and treacle in a saucepan  – stirring until the sugar has dissolved.

2. Take the pan off the heat and add all the other ingredients stirring well.

3. Line either a rectangle 30 cm tin or a 18 cm round tin with baking parchment and spoon in the ingredients. Press all the ingredients into the corners so you have a smooth finish and pop in the oven for about 20 minutes to 25 minutes. Leave to cool and cut into your required shape.