Christmas Granola

Yield
about 8 cups
Occasions
Special Considerations
Preparation Method
Credit
Catherine Boeckmann
Sources
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This recipe, passed down by my mother-in-law, is both healthy and tasty! I called it “Christmas Granola” because I make it for Christmas gifts (neighbors, teachers, services), but it’s a good granola to eat all year round.  I just add cranberries or dried cherries for a festive flair!

Note: I do not add nuts because many people in my circle are allergic. Instead, I use little extra “wet” ingredients to make it nice and chunky (not too dry). I found all ingredients in my big grocery store—a few were in the “organic” section.

Ingredients
6 cups oats (old-fashioned, not quick oats!)
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup wheat germ (buy "toasted")
1/2 cup flaked coconut (buy a bag of "flakes unsweetened")
1/3 cup flaxseed meal (whole ground) or sesame seeds
1 cup pecan pieces or almonds (optional)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Dried chopped fruit--cranberry, apricot, etc. (Try "berries & cherries" Mariani brand)
Instructions
  1. Use a big roasting pan—or two 8 x 10 pans (or 9 x 10). Spread the oats in the pan and bake for 10 minutes at 350°F.
  2. Mix up dry ingredients in one bowl (excluding fruit) and wet ingredients in a separate bowl, then mix together, and put in a the pan.
  3. Bake 20 minutes at 325°F. (After 10 minutes, stir.)
  4. Remove from oven, drop in fruit, and stir very, very lightly.
  5. Let sit, cool until very cold, take spatula, and chunk up a bit.
  6. Store in the fridge.
About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann