Hello Bakers,
A few weeks ago, I posted on Instagram about the idea of baking as self care. It is for so many of us - but I think because we are usually baking for others we don’t realize it.And nothing says self care more than making sure you have a good breakfast.
No mask, scented bath or lavender candles will soothe you if you have not fed yourself properly.
A little mom naggy? Yes, but we all know it’s true.
We all have our breakfast favorites - you might be stuck on smoothies, cinnamon toast, oatmeal or blueberry muffins…whatever it is bakers…it will taste better made by you.
Let’s start with this granola. Imagine a container of this goodness in the pantry…ready to be topped with fresh fruit and your milk of choice. Imagine that first delicious bite…so good.
Let’s get started.
By the way - this is totally customizable - switch out your favorite nut and seeds - take out ingredients you don’t like. The rice krispies are optional but so good. I am indebted to Chef Gena for this idea - my original recipe used wheat flakes but they have become impossible to find. There were other flakes but in testing I found them underwhelming.
You might think why would I add commercial cereal to granola? It adds bulk and texture - keeping you hunger free until lunch time.
Also, this makes a great gift - packed in a treat bag and decorated with a sticker or pretty ribbon - it’s perfect.
Equipment:
½ sheet pan, silpat or parchment paper, spatula, small saucepan, whisk, scale, teaspoons, large bowl.
Ingredients:
Makes _____add yield
Dry Mix
227g (2 ½ cups) Rolled Oats
85g (½c+ 1T) chopped walnuts
85g (½c+ 1T) almonds - I use sliced natural almonds
57g ( ½ cup) cashews
43g (½ cup) shredded coconut - unsweetened is best if available
28g (¼ cup) pumpkin seeds
28g (¼ cup) sunflower seeds
14g (⅛ cup) sesame seeds
Add after toasting
28g (½ cup) rice krispies
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Good pinch (⅛ teaspoon nutmeg)
Wet mix:
113g(⅓ cup) Honey or Agave
28g 2(T) Brown sugar
71g (1/3cup) Canola or good vegetable oil
14g (1 Tablespoon)Peanut butter (optional adds protein)
8g (2 teaspoons) Vanilla extract
Add ins
85g (¾) cup dried cranberries, raisins or blueberries - use whatever combination of dried fruit is your favorite.
Oven 350 degrees:
Arrange all the dry ingredients on a parchment or silpat lined sheet pan in separate piles.
Toast for 8-10 minutes - the coconut will take on a light golden color, the nuts will smell lightly toasted, the oatmeal doesn’t change but this step does help bring out the flavor of the ingredients.
Let cool slightly.
Combine the wet ingredients, except the vanilla, in a small saucepan, cook over medium heat, whisking until well combined.
Remove from heat and add the vanilla. It may have to be re whisked before pouring.
Transfer the cooled dry ingredients into a large bowl.
Add the cinnamon and nutmeg, stir well.
Pour the wet mix on the dry mix and toss or stir until well combined and all the dry ingredients are well coated.
Spread out the mixture onto the sheet pan.
Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, removing from the oven to stir every 8-10 minutes.
Sprinkle the dried fried on top of cooling granola.
Let cool completely and store in an airtight container.
