Homemade Granola


So guess what?  Last week was my birthday.  I turned the big ole 37, woo hoo!  My birthday was on Tuesday and my mom, aunt and the twins went out for a little lunch as Mr. Mother Thyme was planning a birthday celebration for me on Saturday.   Well,  low and behold two years of not getting sick, guess who got sick?  Yep, me the birthday girl.  We ended up canceling the soiree since I was in no condition to go out.  
So instead of celebrating my birthday at my favorite Italian restaurant dining on Lobster Ravioli (my favorite dish there) and a well deserved glass of wine (or two),  I stayed on the couch drowning my sorrows in a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Red Velvet Ice Cream, a box of Kleenex and watched Bridesmaids.  That movie was hysterical.  I needed a good laugh after feeling horrible all day.  

Anyways, enough of my pitty party.  Let’s talk about food.  That can always make me feel better.  For Christmas I made a bunch of foodie gifts for my family.  I think homemade gifts are so heartfelt . It is such a pleasure to give as it is to receive a gift of something homemade.  One of the goodies I made was this Homemade Granola.  This granola is full of flavors and is now my go to traditional granola recipe.  I always have a batch of this made to toss on yogurt,  to enjoy with milk or to grab a handful as an afternoon snack.  

I have tried a bundle of granola recipes and this has become a favorite of mine.  I love the big granola clusters you get when you break it up, perfect for snacking on or putting in my newest obsession, Lemon Chobani.  

If you are like me you’ll find yourself snacking on this all day long!  Enjoy!  


Homemade Granola
Slightly adapted from Epicurean Mom and Martha Stewart

Ingredients
Non-stick cooking spray
4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup almond slivers
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup golden flax seeds
1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.  Lightly coat baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside.  

In a large bowl combine rolled oats, almonds, pecans, coconut flakes, walnuts, cranberries, raisins, flax seed, cinnamon and salt and set aside.  

In a small saucepan combine vegetable oil, honey and brown sugar over medium heat.  Bring to boil, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved and remove from heat.  Stir in vanilla extract.  

Pour mixture over oats and stir until all oats are covered.  Spread granola evenly on to prepared baking sheet.  Bake for about 10 minutes, stir granola and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes stirring occasionally until golden brown.  Let granola cool completely on a wire rack.  Break in to clusters and store in an airtight container.  

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13 Comments

  1. This does look like something I really could enjoy eating as well as getting some healthy benefits. Great blend of ingredients-yum!
    Happy birthday! I sure hope that you got a rain check to go to that Italian restaurant. Sorry you were sick on your special day. Have a great afternoon!

  2. Sorry you weren’t feeling well on your birthday, what a bummer! Hope you’re feeling better now. Although I’d take Ben and Jerry’s on the couch with Bridesmaids, I’m sure those glasses of wine are extremely well deserved! I hope you get a belated celebration!

  3. I’ve been eyeing so many granola recipes lately, but this looks like the winner! I love the minimal amount of honey and the fact that you actually get significant clusters! Hope 37 is a great year for you 🙂

  4. Happy belated 37th! Wishes of all good things to come for you this year 🙂

    I love making my own granola, and even more, love seeing how others do it. Granola is one of those magical recipes that everyone does in their own unique way. You’ve inspired me to add flax seeds to my next batch!

  5. I made this last night, and although it smelled absolutely delicious, I followed the time you suggested and it ended up burning the granola. My only suggestion would be to modify the baking time.

  6. Happy belated Birthday! You poor thing being sick on the day that’s terrible but red velvet ice-cream sounds pretty good.

    I made lots of edible gifts for Christmas last year too. I might have to add this to this year’s list.

  7. Thank you so much for this recipe! I have been using it since the spring, and have now gotten my roommates making it as well. I make a batch every couple weeks, and it’s always delicious. I’ve started experimenting with it- I put candied and powdered ginger in the last batch and it was amazing. Thanks again!

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