Initially I did not like this granola. Eating this granola by itself did not work for me. So I started adding it to my morning cereal and developed quite a fondness for it. It made my cereal interesting. Every bite was a surprise.
This crunchy, sweet granola is studded with toasted almonds, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries and peaches. Feel free to substitute any combination of nuts and fruit, or swap the maple syrup for honey. It makes an ideal holiday gift, and will keep for up to two weeks stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Ingredients
serves 6 cups
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 cup coarsely chopped almonds
- 1/2 cup green pumpkin seeds
- 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of allspice (optional)
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
- 1 cup diced dried peaches
Procedures
Position the oven rack in bottom third of oven. Preheat oven to 325°. Combine oats, coconut, almonds, pumpkin seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and allspice (if using) in large bowl. Add canola oil and maple syrup and stir until all ingredients are well combined.
Spread mixture on baking sheet and bake, stirring often, for 25 minutes. If nuts or coconut are toasting too quickly, turn oven down to 300°.
Remove granola from oven and let cool on pan for 20 minutes. Stir in dried cranberries and dried peaches. Cooled granola will keep for up to 2 weeks in sealed container at room temperature