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Home For The Holidays Festive Crunchy Granola

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OMG have your ever made homemade granola? Where have I been all this time? Once you make this Home For The Holidays Festive Crunchy Granola, you will NEVER buy granola again!

Home for the Holidays Festive Crunchy Granola in a glass jar ready for gift giving.

Ok, so for whatever reason (and I don’t know what it is), I have never made granola this way. NOW that I have experienced the awesomeness of this over the top delicious goodness, bought granola will NEVER make an appearance again. Period.

Don’t ask me what took so long, but hey better late than never. I made this like 2 days ago, and I can still smell the wonderful aroma when I go into the kitchen. Want to you make your house smell wonderful? Make some of this granola, works like a charm.

Crunchy granola ingredients in a bowl, with additional ingredients on the counter waiting to mix in.

I still love my version of Healthy Granola, and Soft Chewy Granola Bars, but this crunchy granola is my favourite so far. I cannot believe it took me so long to get on the band wagon. One batch and I am totally addicted. So many flavour combinations are rolling around in my head right now. HOW did I NOT try this sooner? The same thing happened with I made homemade cranberry sauce for the first time. I have never bought canned cranberries again.

HOLIDAY COUNTDOWN

Ok, so it is now November! OMG, don’t even get me started on how many shopping days are left till Christmas. I know my USA blogger friends are getting geared up for Thanksgiving (and your awesome Black Friday deals). I can feel my stress level starting to rise just thinking about the next couple of months.

Granola ingredients on a baking sheet ready to go into the oven.

Shopping, baking, parties, and let’s not forget fighting the CROWDS! I will say I have done some shopping already. If I can do it online I will. So much more fun sitting here in my pj’s (sometimes with a glass of wine), and voila, a package arrives at my door a couple of days later (free shipping too). NO crowds to worry about either. Too bad I didn’t think to buy Amazon stocks many years ago.

HOLIDAY FOOD

I know I have got to start my holiday baking. This Festive Crunchy Granola got my tastebuds revved up for all the wonderful flavours of the season.

Festive Crunchy Granola right out of the oven on a baking sheet.

Since my mom is no longer with us, I try to make some of her recipes during the holidays to keep her spirit alive. She did love making lots of wonderful holiday cookies, and for this granola recipe I used the flavours from her Crispy Molasses Cookies.

This is so incredibly easy to make. It only takes about 30 minutes. Customize the ingredients to suit your palette. Simple ingredients, no artificial flavours or preservatives. You can never go wrong with easy, healthy and delicious. 

Mix up some oats and whatever nuts and seeds you like. Add the coconut oil, maple syrup, molasses and spices. Bake. Let cool (it will turn nice and crunchy). Add some cranberries (or other dried fruits) and even chocolate chips too.

Festive Crunchy Granola getting poured into a large bowl.

Baking Tip: Have you ever used Cookina products? You are in for a treat. Your granola will easily slide right off this cooking sheet. I love using these products. These are a must have on your Christmas “wish list”. No kitchen (or BBQ) should be without them.

Pour into a bowl and let everyone serve themselves. Perfect on it’s own, or as a topping on yogurt. Place in a sealed container, and it will keep for several weeks. If you are like me, I keep it on the kitchen counter and have a handful now and again. What a delicious and healthy snack anytime of the day.

Granola in a single serving bowl ready to eat.

This granola recipe will get you dreaming of sugar plums and Cookies for Santa. Cinnamon, ginger and cloves combined with maple syrup and molasses. Not only is this delicious to eat, what a great “food gift” to take to all the hosts/hostesses of the Christmas parties this season. This Home For The Holidays Festive Crunchy Granola would make a great stocking stuffer too. Perfect for the gluten-free and vegans on your list.

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Home For the Holidays Festive Crunchy Granola long pin image.

Home For the Holidays Festive Crunchy Granola in a glass container ready for gift giving.

Home For The Holidays Festive Crunchy Granola

Course: Breakfast/Brunch, Snack
Cuisine: Canadian
Keyword: Food Gift Idea
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 365 kcal
Author: Homemade & Yummy
Home For the Holidays Festive Crunchy Granola is not only delicious, but easy to make and healthy too. The perfect holiday food gift. Gluten-free and vegan.
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Ingredients

  • 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup raw whole almonds (or your choice of nuts)
  • 1/2 cup hemp hearts
  • 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • 1/2 cup raw pistachios
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350º F, and line a baking sheet with parchment.

  2. In a large bowl combine the oats, nuts, and seeds. (I broke my almonds up slightly in the blender, but feel free to leave them whole)

  3. In a small microwavable bowl combine the coconut oil, maple syrup, molasses and spices.

  4. Microwave for about 30 seconds until the oil melts. (You can also do this on the stove as well). Mix well.

  5. Pour over oatmeal mixture, and mix to coat well.

  6. Spread mixture onto prepared cookie sheet.

  7. Bake for 20 minutes (or so), mixing half way through.

  8. I like my granola really crunchy, so I baked it a few minutes longer. Just be careful as the granola can burn easily near the end of the baking time.

  9. Remove from oven.

  10. Let cool slightly, and add in the cranberries.

  11. Place in a bowl (or container).

  12. ENJOY!!

Recipe Notes

This is perfect on it's own, as a granola topper...or just by the handful for a quick, delicious and healthy snack. Makes a great "food gift" for the holiday season.

Nutrition Facts
Home For The Holidays Festive Crunchy Granola
Amount Per Serving
Calories 365 Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g 29%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Sodium 5mg 0%
Potassium 368mg 11%
Total Carbohydrates 41g 14%
Dietary Fiber 5g 20%
Sugars 20g
Protein 10g 20%
Vitamin A 1.3%
Vitamin C 0.3%
Calcium 9.5%
Iron 18.6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. This is so pretty and colorful! My only challenge with homemade granola is that it’s always so good, I have a really hard time not eating the whole batch all at once!

    Reply

  8. Im thinking this will be gifts to my neighbors this year… I love the recipe, and I love how cute it looks in mason jars! Simply adorable!

    Reply

  11. Your homemade granola recipe looks perfect with lot of flavor and apt as homemade gifts for this holiday season. Can you send some. I will be happy to receive this gift.

    Reply

  17. I am really just obsessed with granola lately! I love to have it in the morning with some greek yogurt and fresh berries. I always buy it in the store, never tried to make it myself. I guess it is time! Will definitely try your recipe!

    Reply

    • This is so good….so glad I paid a tribute to my mom and turned some cookie spices into this tasty and delicious treat.

      Reply

  20. When the kids were home I made a granola recipe and we could not stop eating it. It never made it to breakfast — it was our snack food. Grab a handful and go. Problem is you can’t stop eating it. And homemade is so much better than bought. Now, I never added hemp hearts or molasses but they sound yummy. I’ll have to give your recipe a try.

    Reply

    • Well this is a tribute to mom. First time making it, and I am HOOKED. Not to mention how wonderful my house smelled (for days).

      Reply

  21. I have a granola recipe that my aunt gave me some years ago. It’s wonderful! I haven’t made it in a while … I’ll need to dig that out. Meanwhile, I’ll give yours a try – awfully seasonal flavors, so it can’t be wrong!

    Reply

  23. I am a big fan of granola!! I can eat granola for breakfast lunch dinner dessert and never complain. My Rhea is like that and she eats granola at least twice a day. Love how delicious this looks. Next I’m going to try this one instead of my recipe. Yum.!

    Reply

    • It is on my kitchen counter….and I do find myself digging in for a nice tasty snack. Bests anything from the store.

      Reply

  32. Ever since I learned to make our own granola, we’ve been making all kinds! I’ve never tried them with molasses though. I’d love to try your version. It looks so tasty and so very festive!

    Reply

    • Yes it sure is a nice tribute…and it makes me think of her….and I really do miss her…especially during the holidays!!

      Reply

  40. I was just talking to my sister about how much I love homemade granola! This looks really good and I like that you use the hemp hearts. i have a bag in the fridge that I don’t know what to do with so this is perfect!

    Reply

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