HOMEMADE GRANOLA GETS SPICED UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS
I always have a batch of homemade granola in my refrigerator (where it keeps longer) waiting to be eaten with milk and berries, sprinkled on yogurt or layered on top of simmered fruit for a short-cut crisp. No packaged granola I’ve tried has come close to appealing to me as much as my own, which is loaded with nuts and seeds, lightly sweetened with pure maple syrup and baked at a low temperature until a deep, toasted f lavor develops.
Granola is well worth the 45 minutes it takes to make a batch. During December, I make multiple batches of this special holiday version to give as gifts. The ribbontied jars of granola are warmly fragrant with cinnamon and cloves, and festive with dried cranberries and crystalized ginger.
Holiday Granola
Warmly fragrant with cinnamon and cloves, lightly maple-sweetened, and festive with dried cranberries and crystallized ginger, this granola has a heartwarming, holiday vibe. A ribbon-tied jar of it makes a delightful edible gift.
Makes 26 servings
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup walnut pieces 1 cup sliced almonds
1⁄ cup raw unsalted
2 sunflower seeds
1⁄ 2
cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or safflower 3⁄ teaspoon ground
4 cinnamon
1⁄ 2
teaspoon kosher salt
1⁄ teaspoon ground
4 ginger
1⁄ teaspoon ground
4 cloves
1⁄ cup dried
2 cranberries
1⁄ cup chopped
4 crystallized ginger
Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees.
In a large bowl, toss the oats, walnuts, almonds and sunf lower seeds to combine. Add the maple syrup, oil, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves and toss to coat evenly.
Spread the mixture onto a large, rimmed baking sheet and bake for about 40 minutes, or until deeply browned and toasted, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes.
Let the granola cool on the baking sheet at room temperature, about 20 minutes; the granola will crisp as it cools. Toss in the dried cranberries and crystallized ginger and transfer to an airtight container.
Storage note: The granola can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Per serving: 145 calories, 8 g total fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 23 mg sodium, 17 g carbohydrates, 2 g dietary fiber, 5 g sugar, 4 g protein