Gingerbread Granola
The Holidays are here friends! My gift to you this holiday season is a delicious new breakfast treat. This Gingerbread Granola is full of the warm spices of the season, with a sweet-tart punch from dried cranberries. It’s perfect for cozy mornings in your jammies with loved ones. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make, which is what we all need this time of year, right?
I had grand plans for the blog in December. So many new cookie and candy recipes have been swimming in my head (“visions of sugarplums” and all that) over the past few months, all of them perfect for the Holidays. But as often happens this time of year, life took over and I found myself overwhelmed with too much on my plate. So, sadly, no new cookie or candy recipes this month. One of these days I”ll figure out how to make December the quiet season of reflection (and baking!) I always hope it will be. Until then I’m glad to have quick, simple treats to toss together that help add some coziness to the season.
This Gingerbread Granola has everything you want in a holiday treat – warm flavors, molasses, a spicy punch of ginger, and a sweet-tart dose of fruitiness. And when you’re done with your bowl, the resulting spiced milk is a treat in and of itself! In fact, it would make one heck of a latte (let’s make cereal milk lattes a thing, ok?). YUM.
And if you like this one, give my other granola recipes a try:
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Granola
Or if you’re in the mood for muffins, try these Buckwheat Rhubarb Muffins with Pecan Streusel (also delicious with apples and/or fresh cranberries in place of rhubarb!).
The best thing about all of these recipes is that you can make them ahead of time, so your holiday breakfasts are sorted (especially great if you’re hosting family or friends this week!).
If you’ve been as overwhelmed as I have been this month, make sure to take some time to rest, unplug, and enjoy a slower pace (and a treat or two:)). Take good care my friends.
Happy Holidays!
Gingerbread Granola
Ingredients
- 3 c old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 c pepitas
- 1 c pecans, walnuts, almonds, or a mixture
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 1/4 tsp cardamom, optional
- 1/4 c vegetable oil
- 1/4 c maple syrup
- 1/4 c molasses
- pinch sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 c dried cranberries
- 2 T chopped crystallized ginger
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Line one large or two small baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, pepitas, nuts, and spices.
- In a small bowl, combine oil, honey, molasses, vanilla, and salt, and mix until well blended.
- Pour liquid mixture into dry ingredients and stir until all dry ingredients are coated.
- Pour onto your prepared baking sheet(s) and spread into a thin layer.
- Bake for 7 minutes.
- Stir, then bake for 5 more minutes.
- Stir, then bake for another 2 minutes, or until granola is toasted and beginning to dry out (it will continue to dry out as it cools).
- Remove from oven and place baking sheet(s) on a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely, or at least 30 minutes.
- Stir in dried cranberries and chopped crystallized ginger, and enjoy!
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Granola will stay fresh for a week or two. Makes 6 cups.
One Comment
Pingback: