….WINTER GRANOLA, CHERRIES AND COZY SPICES…..

All the flavours of Winter in a bowl, seriously delicious and good any time of day (or season), although I did make this with cold weather in mind. This spiced winter granola is my favourite comfort food for rainy cold days, and the dried chewy cherries pair so well with the warm spices, honestly self control doesn’t stand a chance here, you’ll find yourself eating it by the handful but that’s ok since it’s full of healthy goodness.

INGREDIENTS:

• 5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon star anise, ground
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar or coconut sugar
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil or canola oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dried Cherries

I have taken a different approach this time and made a caramel like sticky sauce to stir thru the Oats, so good…

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar with the water and maple syrup and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture comes to a boil. Cook for a few minutes to reduce.
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool slightly.
3. Add the vanilla.
4. Preheat oven to 320° F/ 160° C degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
5. Toss the oats, spices. hazelnuts, seeds and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
6. Add the coconut/canola oil to the brown sugar syrup and stir until thoroughly combined.
7. Pour the syrup over the oat mixture and mix well with a rubber until thoroughly combined. Make sure all of the oats are moistened.
8. Spread onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes.
9. Rotate baking tray halfway thru.
10. Allow granola to cool completely in order to get the crunchy clusters.
11. Now add the dried Cherries.
12. Store this in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month.

Enjoy !

Myra XO