It’s been awhile since I posted a recipe. And since last week we were talking about turning up the fun, I figured it’s time to put up a recipe that’s fun to eat!  I make this all the time because it’s delicious, the kids like it, it’s cheaper than in the store, and it’s basically a treat. So what is it? It’s my homemade granola recipe!

 

Ok, I know it’s not a cookie or cupcake kind of treat, but when you think about it, granola really is a bunch of sugar. Now, you can make a muesli, but if you want chunks of sweet crunchy toasty granola, it’s gonna have some sugar in it.  I’m not saying you should eat this everyday for breakfast, but it’s a nice sweet start to the day. It is whole grain oats. The stuff in a box from the store is nothing but dust compared to this! And for about $4 a small box at the store, you can get a lot more for your money if you make it yourself. Besides, it’s just better!

 

Now, I make LOTS of granola at once and store it in zipper bags in the pantry. But you can try a small batch to begin with and see how you like it. You also can adapt this however you like. Add different kinds of nuts and seeds, or add a variety of dried fruit to your final product – it’s yours, so make it how you like it! Since my youngest is allergic to almost all nuts (except almonds), our granola is now almond only (I used to use pecans, but that’s out now). You also can flavor it however you like – different extracts or spices. I’ll show you my favorite blend in the recipe below!

 

Andrea’s Chai Granola Recipe (adapted from Alton Brown’s Granola recipe)

This is written for a small batch with a lot of nuts. I double or triple this recipe when I make it! You can increase your oats and other ingredients and use fewer nuts (like I do – organic nuts are very expensive to use in large volumes…)

(Use organic ingredients if possible)

Ingredients

  • 1/8 cup raw honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon cardamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (I grate it fresh – it’s amazing!)
  • one large pinch of ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon each vanilla and almond extracts

 

 

 

First, crack your nuts in a zippered bag with the back of a heavy spoon. Don’t work out too many aggressions here – you don’t want nut powder!

 

Mix the oil, maple syrup, honey, extracts and salt in a small bowl. If you use a measuring cup like this, start with the oil and as you add the other ingredients the oil will rise and you can measure the others. Fat floats!

 

To a large mixing bowl, add the oats, nuts, brown sugar, and spices and mix. Add the oil mixture and mix thoroughly.

 

Spread your raw granola on cookie sheets. I use the silpat sheets to help prevent sticking and a messy cleanup, but parchment paper would work well. If you want the granola to have chunks, press it down firmly onto the sheet and you will be able to break it into pieces after it cools. If you want it loose, spread it but don’t pack it down.  My kiddos like the chunks!

 

Bake at 250 degrees for 1 1/2 hours and the let it cool completely. Store in zip top bags in a cool dry place. We like to serve it with yogurt (I know, more sugar!), and fresh fruit. It’s also good with milk or crumbled on ice cream. Enjoy!

 

What’s a favorite treat in your house? Share in the comments below!