Cinnamon Vanilla Granola
Whether you eat it with milk or yogurt, this Cinnamon Vanilla Granola really gets you going in the morning. It’s a little lower in fat and sweetener than most, with a big bump of cinnamon. Add in a generous amount of vanilla, and it’s a real treat. Use unsalted nuts, whatever your preference and any dried fruit you like.
A bulk food store is a great place to shop for this recipe as you can buy what you need without having extra half open packages in the cupboard and you can find a bigger variety for a truly exceptional granola. Depending on what you select, you can also change the yield. I often add chopped unsweetened coconut, which greatly reduces the yield as the coconut just slides into small spaces.
Usually, when I make it, I double this recipe. This is my laziness, I only need to wash the bowl and utensils once. It also allows me to add 4 different types of nuts and dried fruit.
The total time of 45 minutes is not all hands on time. Prep time for this recipe is quick. I measure the first 3 ingredients into a big bowl, the next three ingredients into one measuring cup to pour over the oat mixture. I leave the nuts and fruit preparation for while the granola is baking.
The final step of mixing while the granola is cooling is not something you need to stand over the pan for but something you can do between other chores. For example, if you prefer to have some clumps, you may only stir one or twice during the cool down time. You mix only as much or as little as you like.
My recommendation of storing for one month is an approximation. I usually finish it in less time. Any research I did had the same results, most people find it’s gone before a month is up.
Cinnamon Vanilla Granola is incredibly versatile. It makes an excellent snack. I sometimes add chocolate chips, or sprinkle it on ice cream. It’s good with milk or milk substitutes. It travels well, great for camping or to have for mornings on a long road trip. You can add fresh fruit to go with the dried, whatever is in season.
Cinnamon Vanilla Granola
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl, rimmed baking pan, parchment paper, measuring cups, measuring spoons, mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 3 c Rolled or large flake oats (not instant)
- 2 tbsp Firmly packed brown sugar
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/3 c Honey
- 1/4 c Sunflower or canola oil
- 2 tsp Real vanilla extract
- 1/2 c unsalted nuts or seeds (toasted optional)
- 1/2 c Dried Fruit, chopped if necessary
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°.Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix oats, brown sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl until well blended. In a separate bowl, mix honey and oil and vanilla. Pour over oat mixture and mix until evenly distributed.
- Spread on baking pan in a thin layer. Bake, 15 minutes, until light golden. Stir and mix and bake for an additional 5 to15 minutes, until golden. Watchcarefully as it can burn easily.
- Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking into clumps, until room temperature. You can leave clumps or not, as you like but if you don’t stir, it will be one slab. Transfer to bowl or storage container and stir in nuts and fruit. Store in an airtight container in the cupboard.