Sydney's Sunshine Granola
Who doesn't love a good granola on a fall morning?
The first time I had granola and liked it was in 1995. I was at Earthshine Camp in Toxaway, North Carolina with students from a summer program at Duke University. The camp experience was amazing. As if the Blue Ridge Mountains weren't enough, for me, there has never been another experience quite like eating their delicious granola while taking in those amazing views. Theirs was the perfect balance of savory and sweet. I was never able to find their recipe, so I had to come up with my own from a little memory and a lot of experimentation. My family loves this granola and in particular, my daughter Sydney who loves chocolate. I tried this with large chocolate chips, but the mini chips are just better. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Here's what you need to make it:
6 cups oats
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup pecans
1 cup walnuts
1 cup honey- heated
1/4 cup maple syrup-heated
1/4 cup flax seeds
1/4 cup shaved almonds
1 cup dried cherries (any dried fruit you like will work)
1 cup mini chocolate chips
Cooking Note
Heated honey and maple are key to getting full coverage on the dry ingredients. Initially, I tired to bake my granola at higher temperatures and for longer periods because I thought it needed to crisp in the oven. That resulted in a more charred taste that I wasn't happy with. Try it this way and make this your own with various mix-ins and flavors.
Makes approximately 10 cups
Step-by-step instructions
- In a large bowl, combine oats, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa powder, pecans, and walnuts. Stir to combine.
- In a microwave-safe dish, heat honey and maple syrup for 1 minute to thin the liquid. Pour over dry mixture in large bowl and stir to coat all dry ingredients.
- Line a half sheet pan with parchment. spread granola mixture over the entire surface area of the pan. Some clumps are okay, but try to make sure there is as even of a layer as possible.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, turning once at 30 minutes.
- The granola won't be crunchy when you remove it from the oven, but it should be toasted. While it is still warm, sprinkle almonds, flax seed, and dried fruit over the top and give a gentle toss.
- Once COMPLETELY COOLED, add mini chocolate chips.
- Store in an airtight container and enjoy with milk, or by itself as a snack.
