This past year has proven to be my awakening to the goodness of homemade granola. Before being convinced to make my first batch, I would roll my eyes whenever anyone spoke of making their own granola. What a complete waste of time and energy, I thought.
Well, let me tell you…
I was SO WRONG!
Homemade granola is totally the bee’s knees. It blows that pre-packaged stuff away!
I’ve eaten more granola this past year than I’ve eaten in my entire life. There is always, and I mean ALWAYS, a container of fresh homemade granola in our cupboard now. As soon as it’s gone, another pan goes in the oven to bake. Each batch is always a little or alot different, as granola is so easy to change up according to what you are craving, or what you have on hand at the moment.
I recently baked up this Merry Almond Cherry Berry Granola, inspired by my own first batch of granola from Maria. When scooped into a fun jar and tied with pretty ribbon, this already festive granola turns into a special gift, created from your own heart and precious time.
I bet it won’t take you long to come up with names of a few people who would like to discover a jar of this under the Christmas tree. Gather the ingredients, turn on the oven, and bake some granola!
Ingredients
- 6 c. old-fashioned oats
- 2 c. shredded sweetened coconut
- 3 c. sliced almonds
- 1/3 c. brown sugar
- 1 T. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- 3/4 c. coconut oil, melted
- 1-1/2 c. pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp. pure almond extract
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 c. dried wild blueberries (I like the ones from Trader Joe's.)
- 1 c. dried cherries (I like Trader Joe's dried "dark sweet cherries".)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 300°. Spray two large rimmed baking sheets lightly with cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine oats, coconut, almonds, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut oil, maple syrup, almond extract, and vanilla extract. Pour liquid mixture over dry mixture and fold until evenly coated. Divide mixture between the two prepared pans and spread out evenly. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until granola is nicely browned. Stir every 10 minutes, rotating pans on oven racks each time. Let cool completely, then stir in blueberries and cherries. Store in airtight container.
Note: This recipe makes a large batch and can easily be cut in half.
Source
Adapted from my first batch of homemade granola from Two Peas and Their Pod.
Mmmm…so lovely!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar recently posted..Eggnog Fudge
So tell us Brenda, what did you do differently to make your granola? I see the dried cherries and looks like dried blueberries too. But was that all you did differently than Maria? Do tell please…
Hello Donna! My apologies…the recipe has been unavailable due to site updating complications. But I just added the recipe to the post, so please come back and take a look. Thanks!
This recipe looks so good! =) I love granola, and it would make a great gift also!
I love granola, what a perfect gift idea!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..cranberry-pear cobblers in jars + freund container giveaway
I love the name of your Christmas granola! Homemade granola is the best and even better when it comes in the form of a gift from someone
Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family Brenda. May it be a warm and wonderful one for you all.
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Merriest Christmas to you and your family, dear Paula! xo
I have definitely been all about homemade granola this year too. This sound so good, and so festive! Merry Christmas, my friend!
I have been all about homemade granola this year too. I love this one, it’s so festive! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
Where do I find the recipe for the Cherry Berry Almond Granola?
Hello Debra. I am having some difficulties with a recent site update, thus the recipe was not showing. I have just manually entered the recipe to this post, so please come back and take a look. Thanks!
Thank you, Brenda!!! Looks like a great recipe. Thank you for entering it for us!
Merry Christmas!
I love this…I still haven’t made my own yet and keep wanting too!!! Thanks for inspiring me to!
JulieD recently posted..Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Bread Pudding
Thanks for posting your recipe! I wanted to make it for gifts, now I can! Merry Christmas and enjoy the holiday festivities with your family Brenda!
As I shared but want to share with everyone Brenda, this granola was AWESOME! The gifts I made were greatly appreciated and I kept a little bag for me because it tasted so wonderful! ^_^
I love homemade granola and this recipe sounds perfect!
I’ve never made homemade granola before, but it’s something I’d love to try. I wish dried cherries weren’t so expensive though!
Feel free to substitute whatever dried fruit you like. Dried cranberries are good, too!
This is very suitable as a gift for our holiday in this new year..so lovely!
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Oooo, I love homemade granola. Merry Christmas Sweet Friend!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective recently posted..Brie Toasts with Basil Pine Nuts and Golden Raisins
Hi Brenda – this looks super yummy, but the recipe is not appearing on the page
I’ll keep coming back to check on it…..and Merry Christmas!!
Hi Brenda,
This looks delicious, but I don’t like coconut… do you know how that would change the recipe? Any suggrestionson a substitute for the coconut?
Just omit the coconut. It will still be good!
I truly eat more granola now that I’ve started making my own. I gifted the kids teachers a large mason jar of cranberry spice granola this year, thought it would be a great way to share some of its goodness.
Love this version with dried cherries & coconut – yuuuum!
Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!
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I love the combination of dried cherries and coconut, and adding blueberries to that sounds even better. Looks great!
DELICIOUS! More please
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Hi Brenda,
Love your site and your recipes. I was wondering how you might suggest taking this recipe and making it into granola bars? Any thoughts?
Thank you!
Pat