I was scrolling through my recipe index, and I realized something-- I love to bake! This granola recipe satisfies my need to turn on my oven, without the guilt. This recipe is one of the healthier versions that I've made, and it's really the most delicious one by far. I've shared this recipe with a few of my friends, who all rave about it.
I think what makes this granola recipe taste so good is the almond extract. I am a HUGE fan of almond-- especially marzipan. Originally, this recipe called for dried cherries. Cherries and almond are a match made in heaven. Dried cherries are harder to find and a lot more expensive. So, I've started to make this recipe with dried cranberries, that I buy in bulk at the health food store.
Seriously, I can make a batch of this granola in 20 minutes. (A printable recipe is at the bottom of this post)
DIRECTIONSIn a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, milk powder, honey, apple juice concentrate and oil. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved; stir in extract. In a large bowl, combine the oats, cherries and almonds. Drizzle with sugar mixture and mix well.
Spread in a thin layer in two 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pans coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Cool completely. Serve with yogurt if desired. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 3 quarts.A word of caution, if you make this-- the granola will burn if you don't pay close attention. I have Silpat (silicone) mats that fit on my baking sheets. Or, I recommend that you use parchment paper.
You'll be glad that you did. I rotate the sheets, halfway through baking. Depending on your oven, the granola should be finished at 15 minutes, but watch it closely. The danger is thinking that you need to leave it in the oven until it looks golden brown. Do not get tricked into this! I've burned a batch of this before, and doesn't taste good at all. The brown sugar will harden and your granola will turn out perfectly. Trust me.
My husband likes to eat this with soy milk. My son likes it with 2% milk...me? I still say that it's delicious with non-fat vanilla yogurt. It's good sprinkled on ice cream, or eaten by the handful-- you decide!
Welcome to the foodie blog roll. You have some great recipes here on your blog and your pics are just awesome! I love to bake too!
ReplyDeleteI have granola and yogurt every morning, over a big bowl of fruit. It is usually the healthiest thing I will eat all day, but something I never get sick of. Will have to try this recipe!
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