Gingerbread Granola

I really do love my granola.  It is my breakfast food of choice on weekdays.  I love to chow down on a nice bowl of it with a dollop of Greek yogurt on top . . .  some days I add a drizzle of honey on top.   It gets my day off to a really good start!




This year I baked myself a batch of Gingerbread Granola for the holidays!  Yes, you read that right.  Gingerbread Granola!

 

It's everything you would expect in a Holiday granola . . .  it's spicy, but nicely so with warm gingerbread spices . . .  ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves . . .  with a bit of orange and vanilla added for even more festive flavours . . .



There is plenty of toasted coconut.  The recipe calls for shredded coconut, but I like to use half shredded and half flaked.  I love me some nice large bits of toasted coconut, don't you?  I also use coconut oil for even more coconut flavour along with some molasses and maple syrup!  You really can't go wrong with these flavours!



Add to that plenty of toasted pecans and green salted pistachios . . .  and the sweetness of dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, and you have a really nice mix for the holidays!  You have just enough time to bake up a batch today . . . it also makes nice gifts  Just pour it into a pretty jar and tie a ribbon on top!  I guarantee it will make somebody . . .  ANYBODY  . . . very very happy!

*Gingerbread Granola*

Makes about 10 cups

Printable Recipe  

This smells gorgeous, taste gorgeous and is just so Christmassy.  It makes a great gift done up in a few mason jars and tied with ribbons.  

321g of old fashioned rolled oats (4 cups)

150g of shredded coconut (2 cups)

120g of pecan nuts (1 cup)

2 tsp ground ginger

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp grated nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp ground cloves

145g of coconut oil, melted and cooled (2/3 cup)

6 TBS pure maple syrup

3 TBS molasses

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp orange extract

150g of lightly salted toasted pistachio nuts (1 cup)

150g of dried cranberries (1 cup)

180g of white chocolate chips (1 cup) 

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4.  Butter a large rimmed  baking sheet lightly.

Mix together the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, molasses, vanilla, and orange.

Mix the oats, coconut, pecans together in a bowl along with the ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and cloves.   Pour the liquid mixture over all and toss to coat.  Spread out on the baking sheet.  Bake for about 30 minutes in total, stirring it every ten minutes.  Remove from the oven.  Stir frequently as it cools.  Once it is completely cold add the pistachio nuts and the white chocolate chips.  Store in an airtight container.



 I used Coconpure Oil which I got from the people at MyProtein.  MyProtein is currently Europe's number one sports nutrition brand. An online store with just about everything for those into fitness and bodybuilding, covering  both women's and men's fitness. You'll find a huge range of Protein, Creatine, Amino Acids, Carbohydrates, Healthy Ingredients, Blends and Formulas, Tablets and Capsules, Bars, Drinks and even clothing and accessories.  Just about everything you need to support your healthy lifestyle.  They even sell meat.