Making your own granola is not intimidating. In fact, it's easier to make than a cake. All that's required is a special trip to the bulk store to get the ingredients. Unlike other popular gifts in a jar such as cookie mix, granola requires no additional work on the part of the receiver. For people who don't cook or bake, this is a practical consideration. Put the final product in glass jar wrapped in a bit of ribbon, and you've got a great holiday gift.
The original recipe came from Ste. Anne's Spa, an award-winning spa in Ontario. Bathrobe-clad guests would wait for their massage treatments while munching on a handful of the chef's own granola. This version is wheat-free, so it would be perfect for anyone who is gluten-intolerant or has Celiac disease.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Homemade Granola
Ingredients:
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup honey
Directions:
- Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Melt the butter in a pan over low heat and slowly stir in the honey.
- Pour the liquid ingredients over the nut mixture and mix well.
- Spread the contents over a large cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, stirring after the first 15 minutes to avoid burning.
- Allow granola to cool completely then store in airtight containers.
There are many variations. You can substitute some of the nuts with dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots. For an interesting texture, you can add a few handfuls of puffed wheat such as Kamut. Or you can make a more traditional granola by adding two cups of granola to the ingredients. Be sure to not to omit the coconut and sesame seeds. These ingredients give the granola an addictive taste and texture.
Mason jars from the dollar store make great gift containers. You can get creative with the presentation: Wrap festive ribbon around the jar, and attach a small note with the recipient's name. Or you can pour the granola into a coffee mug and wrap the entire package in cellophone. Add a card that lists the granola's ingredients so people can make it themselves.
If you'd like to make a number of smaller gifts, use plastic wrap. Pour the granola into the centre of individual sheets of plastic wrap. Bunch the corners together around the granola, and tie the package tightly using red and green ribbon.
The holidays are a perfect time to make a gift for a teacher, colleague or other people you care about. A homemade gift is a special treat that people will appreciate and remember. And with this recipe, it's as easy as (ahem) granola.
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