Preheat the oven to 180c and line a rectangular baking tray with parchment paper.
Begin by covering your dates in boiling water and leaving for 10 minutes. Then drain and add to a blender or mash until a paste is formed. Don’t worry if there are still chunks of dates.
Add the golden syrup, vanilla extract and orange juice and combine.
Now chop the walnuts into small chunks and combine in a large bowl with the oats and cacao powder. Save a tablespoon of orange zest for decorating and add the rest to the bowl. Combine.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and combine thoroughly. Empty the mixture into the baking tray and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
Allow the flapjacks to cool slightly before removing from the tin and cutting into squares.
Decorate with the melted dark chocolate and the remaining orange zest. Enjoy