Maple Cranberry Granola
Raise your hand if breakfast is why you get out of bed. It’s ok, you’re among friends.
We’re not ashamed. We totally get out of bed so we can eat. In case you haven’t noticed, food is kind of a big deal for us.
And all you breakfast-haters out there who are too busy for breakfast, don’t like to eat first thing (Blue-Eyed boyfriend/husband, we’re looking at you) yada yada yada, well fear not. For we have created a morning treat so yummy, that even you folks who normally shun THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY (besides dessert, duh) will cave to its powers of deliciousness.
Fine, if you don’t cave because you have some insanely strong willpower of steel (Blue-Eyed boyfriend/husband, again, we’re looking at you), that’s ok too. Because this breakfast treat can be enjoyed any time of day.
Maple Cranberry Granola folks. That’s why we’re getting out of bed this week.
Ok or more accurately, that’s why we’re getting out of bed through Thursday because we’re pretty sure at this rate, there won’t be any left come Friday.
But that’s ok, because this stuff is so easy to make. SO EASY. Soooooo easy. Seriously, make it once and you’ll be all “whoa this is soooooo easy.” And we’ll be all “we told ya so.”
Aw no, we wouldn’t say we told you so, we’re nice.
But then we’ll say “try it on ice cream!” And you’ll be all “ice cream?!!” And we’ll be all “ICE CREAM.” And then you’ll try it on ice cream and you’ll be all “whoa ice cream!!” And we’ll be all “we told ya so.”
And this time we’ll say it.
And the best thing about this recipe is that there are a million different ways you can make it your perfect granola. Don’t want cranberries? Add raisins or apricots or dates! Almond hater? Cashews, peanuts, pecans! You get the picture, you can vary this recipe so many ways to make it the reason you get out of bed.
It’s ok, we know, you’re among friends.
Maple Cranberry Granola
Makes 12 cups
Dry Ingredients:
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups raw almonds
10 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup raw shelled pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
Wet Ingredients:
3/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup honey
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
3/4 cup hot water
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup crystallized ginger, roughly chopped
Preheat oven to 225 F.
Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl and set aside.
Mix the wet ingredients together well in a smaller bowl and then pour over the dry oat mixture. Make sure it is well combined. Place the granola loosely into a shallow baking pan (or two) or a cookie sheet with a low edge. Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until desired crunchiness. After that, turn the oven off but let the pans sit in the oven for several hours (preferably overnight).
Add the cranberries and ginger after the granola has cooled and sat in the oven for a few hours.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month.
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Reader Comments (15)
Beautiful and delicious. Love that lineup of ingredients!
That granola looks incredible. It is so pretty!
Breakfast is most certainly the reason I get out of bed in the morning! In fact, I probably think about it too much (like before I go to bed the night before).
Thanks for the recipe! :)
My 4 yr old has recently discovered a love of granola, thank you for this timely post! It looks great, but how can something with all that great stuff in it be anything but bad? :)
This looks and sounds lovely. I think I am inspired to make a few bathches to give as Christmas gifts!
not going to lie...I raised my hand! The best breakfasts are ones when you have fun things like THIS to eat! Great recipe!
That granola looks delicious. I really need to make my own! I've never tried it :(
It's so funny - we're making granola for Project Pastry Queen this week, and at first I thought it was such a boring pick. But then when I read the recipe, I got it! Yours looks delish too. And I think the ice cream idea sounds brilliant!
I love granola! I just made some. This looks great!
Mmmm...granola. Your writing cracks me up. In a good way. I totally love reading this blog. Thank you for yet another great post.
I'm imagining all those colours and flavours exploding in my mouth. Wow.., that'd be one big old wake up call. :)
I love maple flavored granola. Beautiful pictures!
yum, this looks delicious! homemade granola is the best - once i start eating it, there is no stopping me!
i get out of bed JUST for breakfast! best meal of the day! and i'm sure it'd be awesome with this lovely granola!
Maple syrup is really delicious. I usually use Maple syrup on pancakes but there are more uses of it. I just love the taste of it.
Steve Kerr
http://ohealthlounge.com.au F