Homemade Granola

So who doesn't love a good granola? Whether it's breakfast at home or on the go, or a casual snack in the afternoon, granola is a go-to favorite for me. In the past I've tried many concoctions and have failed. My failed attempts have fallen apart or burnt while being stuck to the pan leaving an awful after-taste. This recipe turned out perfect and is definitely one to stay!

Ingredients for the perfect homemade granola:

1 1/2 cups of oats 

1 cup of whole almonds; finely chopped

1/2 cup or slivered almonds

3/4 cup of walnuts; finely chopped

1 cup of dried cherries

1/2 cup of dried cranberries

1/2 cup of flaked coconut 

1/2 cup of dates, chopped (1 tbsp of flour to roll dates in to prevent sticking)

3 tsp of cinnamon

1 tsp of sea salt

3 tsp of pure vanilla

3/4 cup of pure maple syrup

1/2 cup of coconut oil, melted 

Directions: 

Chop almonds and walnuts until chopped into fine, small pieces. Combine in bowl.

Next, add your dried cherries and cranberries. Toss date pieces in flour just enough to coat and then add to mixture. Add coconut flakes, cinnamon and sea salt. Stir all dry ingredients. Add vanilla and then other wet ingredients including maple syrup and coconut oil. Stir all ingredients until dry ingredients are coated and everything is well combined. 

Spray large cookie sheet and pour mixture evenly about 1/2 inch thick. Press mixture down with spatula and pop pan in the oven at 275 degrees for 20 minutes. Take mixture out and rotate pan around so it can evenly bake. Bake another 20-25 minutes until lightly brown all around. 

Take pan out of oven and cool mixture, still in pan, for approximately one hour. Once the mixture has cooled properly, using a spatula scoop out the granola and break into clusters. 

I stored my granola in glass mason jars so that it was sealed and could stay fresh. This one batch made enough granola to last me throughout my week as a delicious staple in my daily eating routine. One thing I also failed to mention was the smell this homemade granola gives off. The minute this mixture starts to bake your house will be filled with the most amazing scent of cinnamon and maple with a hint of almond. Just to die! 

Crunch on,

~Crago