more healthy granola – cranberry apple granola

Yesterday I felt the need to make the house smell nice. The kids were away – one at a basketball game and the other had gone with her dad to pick up another pony for the zoo farm.

I found a recipe in a library book, Leslie Beck’s Healthy Kitchen and modified it somewhat (as I seem to be unable to stop myself from doing) to use ingredients that I have on hand and coconut oil. This is my result:

Cranberry Apple Granola

• 2 cups rolled oats (I use large flake, not quick oats)
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut
• 1/4 cup seeds (I used pumpkin)
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup chopped dried apples
• ¾ cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 300F. Heat honey until it’s thinned and melt the coconut oil. Add with applesauce and spices into the dry ingredients and mix well. Spread onto well-greased baking sheet (or use a silicone sheet like I did) and bake for 15 minutes. Stir, bake for another 5 minutes, stir again and bake for another 5 minutes until golden brown.

Once it has cooled, add in the dried fruit.

My measurements are often approximations. It’s pretty easy to experiment with granola and different amounts and ingredients. I didn’t have plain unsweetened applesauce, but I did have apple/raspberry sauce in the freezer from last fall – and I couldn’t tell the difference. Next time I might try a little bit more ginger – I couldn’t taste it much. I might also make it with dried blueberries instead of the apples. If you have any suggestions, let me know.

I should mention that the dad has made several batches of granola himself now. Next step, socks with sandals.

Linking to Cups by Kim, A Pinch of Joy, Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms, Frugally Sustainable, Sorta Crunchy, White Wolf Summit Farmgirl