Gingerbread Granola {Christmas Tray 2012}

As you can tell, I kind of have a thing for granola (and I have passed it on to Noah). We got addicted to all of Trader Joe’s granola but since we had never had a TJ’s in town (until now, mwhahaha) I always liked to make it homemade to snack on. We like it plain, vanilla flavored and especially this holiday gingerbread granola.

I made so many cookies and candies this year that I thought it would be nice to include something really different. Breakfast was the perfect solution and granola automatically popped into my head. And what says Christmas more than gingerbread?

The maple syrup, molasses and ginger all combine to create the perfect gingerbread taste. The crystallized ginger added a nice chewiness to the crunchy texture of the oats and nuts. A totally yummy treat for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Gingerbread Granola
recipe from Disney Family

4 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup blanched, slivered almonds
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/8 cup molasses
1/3 cup oil
pinch salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup crystallized ginger, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Mix oats and almonds together in a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, salt, maple syrup, molasses and oil.

3. Pour sugar and oil mixture over the oats and stir well, making sure everything is evenly coated.

4. Pour into a greased 13×9 pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.

5. Let cool completely, stir in crystallized ginger and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Vanilla Bean Granola

Happy Thanksgiving a day early! I hope that you are all ready for your Thanksgiving festivities and are able to spend this wonderful holiday with family and friends. I am so thankful for all the wonderful people in my life, especially those boys of mine. Here they are on Thanksgiving last year.

Here’s a sweet and simple breakfast idea for tomorrow morning. Or, for all you crazies out there, a quick breakfast to eat on the go while you wait in line at 3:00 in the morning on Friday. Now don’t get me wrong, I love me some Black Friday shopping but I need my beauty sleep. Me not getting enough sleep is not a pretty picture for anyone involved….you will get the grumpy, angry eyebrows. Trust me, when sleep deprived I do not use them sparingly.

Vanilla Bean Granola
recipe from Rachel Cooks

3 cups thick cut rolled oats
1 cup raw almonds, chopped
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons toasted wheat germ
1 tablespoon ground flax-seed
4 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
the pulp of two vanilla beans

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment or Silpat. In a large bowl, stir together oats, almonds, coconut, salt, brown sugar, wheat germ and ground flax. 2. In separate small microwavable bowl, stir together canola oil  and vanilla. Heat in microwave for 30 seconds on 50% power. Add in vanilla bean pulp and whisk with a fork to separate beans. 3. Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until everything is well coated. 4. Spread granola in an even layer over the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, stir, and then bake for 15-20 minutes longer until golden brown. 5. Let cool completely, stirring occasionally to break up chunks. 6. Store in airtight container. Makes approximately 5 cups.

Granola

If you are a busy mom like me, you are looking for a quick, healthy breakfast that tastes delicious. This granola totally fits the bill. It is so simple to throw together in the evening and lasts for about a week in an airtight container. And it’s so much cheaper than buying prepared granola.

Another great feature of this granola is that it is totally customizable unlike the boxed version. Don’t like almonds? Replace them with pecans or walnuts. Use raisins, dried banana chips or dried apricots as the fruit. You can add exactly what you want to make your perfect granola.

I personally love this granola atop some strawberry yogurt with sliced bananas. Healthy, simple, tasty. Just what we need to fuel up for a busy day.

Granola

3 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
3 tablespoons (packed) brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon (generous) salt
1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup assorted dried fruit

Preheat oven to 300°F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Mix first 7 ingredients in large bowl. Stir honey and oil in saucepan over medium-low heat until smooth. Pour honey mixture over oat mixture; toss. Spread on prepared sheet. Bake until golden, stirring every 10 minutes, about 40 minutes. Place sheet on rack. Stir granola; cool. Mix in fruit.