Holiday Granola Greatness

I am a granola addict or at least I thought I was to store-bought granola for years and then I started making my own homemade granola….and my brain was like “Oh my! Now I know what real greatness in regards to granola!”

I posted about my Homemade Holiday Granola back in December of 2011 but a few things have changed since then first off I now store our granola in a glass apothecary jar it’s just easier for everyone to get the scoop in and out of and trust me that is often!

Holiday Homemade Granola

1/3 to 1/2 cup, veg oil, butter or light olive oil

1/4 to 1/2 cup brown sugar, maple syrup, honey or agave nectar (use lesser amount if you are using honey or agave)

1 tsp. vanilla, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ginger, 1/4 tsp. cardamom (or whatever you want to spice it up with!)
4 C. flaked grains, such as oatmeal, spelt, and/or rye (But I always use oatmeal it’s my favorite!)
1/3 C. flaked unsweetened coconut, or 1/3 C. wheat germ or 3 TBSP. nutritional yeast OR 2 T. flax seeds or 2 T. chia seeds
2 C. chopped nuts, and seeds such as walnuts, almonds, pecans, shelled sunflower, pumpkin seeds and or sesame seeds
1 C. chopped dried fruit such as apples, pears, peaches, plums, cranberries, currants, raisins, and or cherries.

Preheat oven to 350 to 375 degrees (this is a personal preference) in a small saucepan and melt butter if using oil just warm it.   Then add your sweeter along with vanilla or whatever spices you are using. In a large bowl combine all ingredients and lay in a big turkey roaster pan or commercial sized cookie sheet if you have it and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.  If not a large cookie sheet will work well too I just like to be able to stir it freely.  Cool and then store in airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Truthfully one of my favorite combinations is Butter, Honey, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Cardamom, Oatmeal, Coconut, Pecans, and Dried Cranberries…..oh my it is amazing!

The holiday granola recipe is so fun because you can use leftover dried fruit or other nuts you have leftover from other recipes and turn them into gifts of food!  Nice!  Right?

I have also included my recipe for my basic granola recipe as well:

 

Lil’ Suburban Homestead’s Basic Granola

4 C. oatmeal

1 C. Raisins

1 ½ plain chopped almonds

2 tsp. cinnamon

½ C. butter

¼ C. brown sugar

½  C. honey

Take a big turkey roaster pan or any other huge pan and place your 4 cups oatmeal into the pan.

Add Your 1 C. Raisins

Add your almonds

Then add your cinnamon, spices, and brown sugar

Lastly heat up your butter and honey in separate containers

And drizzle over the entire mixture.

Preheat Oven to 350 to 375…I like mine more toasted so this has some personal preference involved!

Cook at  350-375 degrees for 20 – 25 minutes. 

Stir once or twice while cooking.

When done take out of oven and stir once more and let cool.

Such a simple recipe and yet so delicious!  You can eat granola alone as a cereal or put in your yogurt or on top of your ice cream….the list is endless!

I know I appreciate receiving homemade holiday goodies!  I stretch mine out to last a good part of the year and I like that they are consumable and in times of economic strife which I think many of us are feeling the pinch it’s just a much appreciated food gift and it’s frugal too!  You know I gotta’ be frugal!

Have a wonderful holiday season….. Oh and thanks for stopping by….

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