I love the idea of having homemade cereal for breakfast, especially as there is so much added nastiness in shop-bought cereal nowadays. This granola (popular in America) is full of nutritious ingredients and interesting textures such as porridge oats, flaked almonds, cranberries and raisins. There is added flavour from the cinnamon, vanilla extract and desiccated coconut, and then from baking it all in the oven until it is golden. There is also sugar and maple syrup, so it is a little bit naughty too. Have it with milk or with some yoghurt and fruit.
The granola takes up to 50 minutes to make and will keep for a month in an airtight container. It is from the brilliant new Mumsnet cookbook Top Bananas! (see my full book review here https://katielovescooking.wordpress.com/2014/05/25/top-bananas-mumsnets-family-recipe-book-review/). You will need a BIG bowl to stir everything together!
Cranberry granola (makes about 15 portions)
500g porridge oats
100g flaked almonds
100g desiccated coconut
3 tbsp light brown sugar
3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, or vegetable oil
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
Salt
130g golden/maple syrup
50g dried cranberries
50g raisins
Preheat the oven to 150 degrees/gas mark 2.
Put the oats, almonds, coconut, sugar, melted butter or oil, cinnamon and vanilla into a large bowl and add a pinch of salt. Using a large spoon (or your hands) work in the syrup until you can’t see it any more.
Line two large baking trays with greaseproof paper and divide the granola mix between them. Place the trays in the hot oven and bake until they are golden. This will take between 25-40 minutes and you will need to stir everything at least once and swap the position of the trays. Check it frequently so it does not burn.
Remove the trays from the oven and let it cool before stirring in the cranberries and raisins. When it is cold store it in an airtight container. Will keep for up to one month.
From Mumsnet cookbook Top Bananas!
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