Sesame and Oat Bars with Dates and Dried Apricots

In the U.K., oat bars such as these are known as “flapjacks.” They’re sturdy, chewy-crisp and unapologetically rich. We love the earthy, nutty, pleasantly resinous flavor of sesame and incorporate the ingredient two ways: toasted seeds dot the oat mixture while tahini helps hold the bars together. Lyle’s Golden Syrup, an amber-hued sweetener common in the U.K., imparts nuances of butterscotch and caramel, but if it is difficult to source, honey works nicely, though it adds floral notes. We also toss in dates and dried apricots for a satisfying chew; the latter also offers tartness to balance the bars’ sweetness. Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, the bars keep well for up to five days.