Cranberry Chia Granola

Cranberry Chia Granola- granola made with oats, dried cranberries, chia seeds, pecans, peanuts, and almonds; flavored with vanilla and cinnamon; sweetened with honey and pure maple syrup. 

Oh my goodness, would you LOOK at the time!!
It's 11:12!

Which on any normal given night wouldn't be that bad, but I have 48 minutes to get this post up or it won't count as Day 2.
haha

Yes, Day 2 of the second installment of 365 Days of Baking.
I'm not going to say that every day. That's going to get doggone redundant and annoying as all get-out!

Today, I was a little stressed as is explained in the video which I'll have to add tomorrow as it's not finished editing, but I think you can go to the 365 YouTube channel to see it.

There's not going to be much chit chat tonight as I've got some typing to do and as it is, because of the time, people think I've probably already called it quits! haha
NOPE, not the case!!

My one recommendation for this recipe is to watch the browning of the granola while it is in the oven.
Total baking time recommended is 30 minutes, but I definitely didn't leave it in that long.
I could smell that it was starting to become a little burnt and as many of us know,
once you smell it, it's probably too late to save it.
Total time I had it in the oven was about 24-26 minutes.

The reason for the very minimal pictures is because I completely forgot to take pictures of the process while my very dear and helpful daughter was video taping.
And the final product pictures are not all that spectacular because it was later in the day and I was running out of natural light.
Something that needs to be worked on.
Time management and seeing about extending the daylight.
Who can I talk to about that?

I adapted the recipe from my Berry and Nut Granola.



Cranberry Chia Granola - makes about 6 cups
Ingredients
3 cups rolled oats, not instant or quick-cooking
1/4 cup Chia seeds
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1/3 cup 100% pure maple syrup
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup slivered almonds
1/3 cup chopped peanuts
1 cup dried cranberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.

In a large bowl, stir together oats, Chia seeds, cinnamon and salt.

In a small bowl, mix together pecans, almonds and peanuts.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together melted coconut oil, maple syrup, honey and vanilla until thoroughly combined.  Make sure that the oil and other liquids are completely mixed together.  If not, the syrups may burn during the baking process.

Add the oil/syrup mixture to the oat mixture and blend so that all of the oats are completely covered.
Transfer the oat mixture to the prepared baking pan.
Spread into an even layer.
*Bake for approximately 15 minutes.  Stir occasionally until golden brown.

Remove the pan from the oven and mix in nuts.
Spread contents into an even layer and return to the oven to bake for an additional 7-15 minutes.

Final baking time will vary depending on desired doneness.

The oats will not be crunchy when removed from the oven, but will harden as they cool.  

Add the dried cranberries to the pan and stir to combine.  Allow to cool.

Store granola in an airtight container for up to two weeks at room temperature or can be frozen.

*Because oven temperatures vary so much, an entire baking time of 30 minutes does not need to be strictly adhered to. Make sure that you are watching the oats carefully for browning.

I rate everything I bake on a scale of 1-4 with 4 being the best and this Cranberry Chia Granola earned 3 rolling pins.

I think I may have left it in a touch too long.
It's teetering on the edge of having a slightly burnt taste to it.

No bueno.

But I have to say it is pretty darn delicious mixed with some plain Greek yogurt, honey and fresh berries!

And it's a touch healthier, too with the addition of the Chia seeds!

I was concerned that when mixed with the liquid that the seeds would change their consistency, but it didn't happen.

All's good now in the 365 home.

And when Momma's happy...

EVERYBODY'S happy!!

I give you BIG baking hugs and muffins!!