I love granola. I love to sprinkle it on everything from yogurt to pancakes and anything else that wants a little crunch. I also love making it. It's quite rewarding to take a selection of rather mundane ingredients, mix them together, spread them on a pan and bake them for a bit and end up with something that would cost a fortune in a specialty market ... and is probably better for you than most of those mixes as well.
And, as we are approaching the gift-giving season, it makes sense to consider granola as an option. You can easily make large batches, it stores well and it ships easily. And, with more and more people considering the quality of the carbs they are eating, granola can play a stronger role. The recipe I'm sharing this month came about in exactly that way. I have a dear friend that had a birthday in October and I wanted to give her something from my kitchen. She's in another state and has been changing her diet and lifestyle to be healthier ... and with great success! While I'm often known for the cookies I ship all over the world, I wanted to give her something sweet without being at odds with her healthy changes. So, this granola recipe was born! A great way to start her day or fuel the daily runs she takes. Fifty pounds lost and counting ... and a sweet and healthy way to say Happy Birthday!!!
As always, I encourage you to share your recipe ideas and comments. You can always post comments in the discussion board using the forms provided in the articles or email me directly at .
Marti's Fruity and Nutty Granola
- 4 c. oatmeal
- 1 c. roasted sunflower seeds
- 2 c. sliced almonds
- 1 c. toasted wheat germ
- 1/4 c. brown sugar
- 1/2 c. honey
- 1/2 c. maple syrup
- 1/4 c. butter
- 1 T. vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 c. dried blueberries
- 1 c. dried cherries
Preheat the oven to 300 F. Combine the oatmeal, sunflower seeds, almonds, wheat germ and brown sugar in a large bowl. Set aside.
Combine the honey, maple syrup, butter and vanilla in a large microwavable bowl. Microwave for 1 minute or until the butter is melted. Whisk briskly to combine. Microwave for another minute or until the mixture is bubbly. Immediately add the oatmeal mixture, salt and dried berries and mix until well combined.
Spread the mixture evening on 2 large cookie sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-45 minutes or until the mixture is golden and dried. Allow to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container.
- Yields: about 8 cups of granola
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes