Thursday, December 16, 2010

Crunchy-Toasty-Nutty


I know I made granola bars just a couple weeks ago, but I still wasn't satisfied with the softness of the final product.

When it comes to granola, I like a good solid crunch. I crave that toasty flavor. And don't even get me started on the nuts. Lots and lots of nuts.

Since the granola bars didn't completely fill the crunchy-toasty-nutty criteria I set, I decided to make plain old granola. You know, the kind you can grab a handful of and really sink your teeth into.

SUCCESS! Boy did this recipe fill my crunchy-toasty-nutty void...to the tenth power. You can serve it a zillion ways: stirred into yogurt, sprinkled on your morning bowl o' oats, mixed into a peanut butter-banana sandwich, or as an ice cream topping.

But me? I like to eat it plain and simple...one handful at a time.

Of course you can dress this recipe up with your tasty preferences (one of the beauties of granola). And I promise: If you crave the crunchy-toasty-nutty kind of granola, this recipe will certainly not disappoint.

Bonus holiday gift idea: Load your granola up in a clear jar (recycled nut butter jar?) and include it in a small basket with some sugared pecans, a cute tea towel, and a gift card to your local health food store.

Now, let me leave you with something to look forward to: Oreo Truffles will be made--and promptly eaten--on Saturday. Holy yum, I can hardly wait.

Crunchy-Toasty-Nutty Granola
(Hungry Spoon original)

This granola makes a great yogurt mix-in, but my favorite way to eat it is one dry spoonful at a time :)

Ingredients:
  • 3 cups of oats
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup ground flaxseed or wheat germ
  • 1/2 cup flaked coconut
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup chopped almonds
  • 1/4 cup oil
  • 3 TBSP honey
  • 1/2 tsp. almond extract
  • 3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
  • Optional: Dried cranberries
Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a large baking sheet (or two) with cooking spray.

2) In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, flaxseed, coconut, and nuts. In a small bowl, combine the oil, honey, and extracts. Pour liquid mixture over oat mixture and mix until thoroughly combined.

3) Place granola in a single layer on baking sheet(s). Bake for 8 minutes, remove from oven and toss/stir. Bake for another 5 - 10 minutes, or until toasty. Be sure to check back often! It can get too toasty (read: burnt) very quickly! Stir in cranberries when granola is finished baking.

18 comments:

  1. Mind reader. I was day-dreaming about cranberry granola because my store-bought stash is almost out!

    There's just something about the perfect crunch of granola that yields to total inhalation of the entire batch. Immediately. How is that even possible?

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  2. haha a Nutty crunchy toast... couldn't help myself. I would love to have some dry cranberries right now.

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  3. This will be great for after Christmas breakfast...yum!

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  4. Lots of nuts is definitely where it's at!

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  5. Yumyumyum! There's nothing like good granola, especially when it has so many nutty good ingredients!

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  6. I'm totally with you - granola has to be super crunchy! That's part of the draw. I also like big clumps in mine. I keep saying I'm going to make home-made granola but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Thank you for the nudge in reminding me that I need to make some too.

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  7. You are quite the granola girl! I still have yet to try to make granola or granola bars! They kind of scare me, right up there with caramel and cheesecake haha someday I'll try it!

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  8. I love granola by the handful too :) This looks awesome!

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  9. i'm inspired by your motivation to get a recipe right! i usually throw my hands up and say "who makes this the way i want it and where can i buy it?!"

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  10. I love granola! This can fill that void when I'm training and need something sweet!

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  11. I've put off making granola for far too long! Seriously thinking about making some for at least one friend's Christmas gift. Yours looks awesome! I like it best on top of yogurt. Looking forward to those Oreo truffles!

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  12. I like my granola to be super crunchy too and I just have to eat it by the handful. I love how you added almond extract to the granola, I would have never of thought of that! The granola looks soooo good. I just love homemade granola! :)

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  13. Granola is so delicious but as you point out- hard to get exactly right. I'm glad you finally got it right for your tastes! I love granola best with yoghurt when I get in from work late at night.

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  14. oh my gosh, that granola looks so good!

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  15. I just posted a granola recipe too :) I seriously think granola is the best snack ever. It can be personalized into whatever you want and can also be ate in so many ways!!

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  16. I love granola, but I try to avoid the sugar and the oil. Is there a way that I can make your beautiful granola recipe by leaving out the sugar and oil? Thanks

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