Pumpkin Cherry Granola

A few weeks ago I participated in Rebecca’s bake sale to raise money for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. I donated 2 jars of customizable granola for the sale.

The 1st & 2nd highest bids won the granola. I am a coconut lover but I understand not everyone is fond of coconut like me. So I sent the lovely ladies who won the granola their options:

– Oil:  I can make it like the original recipe with coconut oil OR I can use canola oil if you are not a fan of coconut.

– Sweetener: Let me know if you like sweet granola or semi-sweet. I can put additional amount of agave or maple syrup on your granola.

– Nuts Add-ins:  I used walnuts and slivered almonds on the original recipe. I have other nuts that you can substitute. Pick 2 (walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame coated cashews)

– Dried Fruits:  I used unsweetened coconut flakes on the original recipe. But you can also substitute coconuts if you don’t like them. Pick from (raisins or dried apricots or dried dark cherries or dried blueberries).

Emily replied wanting the original recipe as it is and Dara sent me with the following requests:

Oil: Coconut Oil (never tried it, but it sounds good)
Sweetener: I like sweet-very sweet granola! Agave sounds good. 🙂
Nuts: Slivered almonds & Pumpkin Seeds
Dried Fruits: Raisins & dried dark cherries sounds really good!

Pumpkin Cherry Granola

(adapted from the original recipe)

• 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup slice almonds
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup dried sweet cherries
• 1/2 cup agave (you can also use honey or brown sugar)
• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Put agave and coconut oil on very low heat until thin. Stir in almonds, pumpkin seeds, raisins, dried cherries and vanilla. Mix until they are coated well. Add oats to the mixture and mix well.

Transfer the mixture on a greased non-stick cookie sheet. Spread them evenly. Bake for 10 minutes and then stir mixture. Bake for another 10 minutes or so. Watch it carefully. The mixture will turn brown quickly.

Remove from the oven and let granola cool completely on the sheet before storing it in a tight sealed container.

Right out of the oven.

I love using cherries when baking chocolate chip cookies, now I know it’s great with granola too.

A thank you note from me and off the granolas go!!

One happy baker and more importantly, happy customers 🙂

Hi Lea!

I received the granola last night! 🙂  I opened it up to take a sniff (since I had already had dinner and shouldn’t eat anymore) and it smelled so good, I dove right in! Had to stop myself from eating it all.

I Love granola. 🙂  It is sweet but not to sugary (that’s a good thing!) and the raisins and cherries are such a good contrast to the almonds and pumpkin seeds. I can taste the coconut oil without it being overpowering.

I brought both bags to work to share and I’ll be passing on some samples and your blog links to fellow bloggers over here! Thanks again for putting you granola into the sale, and I am a very happy customer. 🙂 !

-Dara

If someone offered to bake you granola, what ingredients would you request in your granola mix?