Every Christmas I like to make something as a gift for family and friends. Something thoughtful, festive, homemade and most of all delicious. It might be a jar of homemade plum jam taken from a recipe from my grandma, or a batch of sweet tomato chutney perfect to accompany a Christmas ham. This year though, I’m baking this wonderfully aromatic, spiced granola — a lovely, wholesome breakfast or snack that is reminiscent of Christmas with its sweet maple and cinnamon glaze. I’ll be decorating mine by wrapping it in a calico bag with a natural twine tie and simple gift tag, a perfect little thoughtful gift for loved ones, special teachers, neighbours and friends, but it would also look gorgeous in a recycled jar with a chalkboard label!
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup coconut flakes
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
½ cup almonds, chopped
½ tsp salt flakes
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup smooth peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla essence
Method
- Preheat the oven to 160 degrees.
- In a small saucepan, mix together the maple syrup, peanut butter and vanilla to create glaze. Stir constantly over a low heat until combined. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
- In a bowl, combine the oats, coconut, pumpkin seeds, almonds, cinnamon and salt. Mix well.
- Pour the cooled glaze over the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Lie a baking tray with greaseproof paper and spread the granola evenly in a thin layer.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the granola from the oven, stir gently to ensure baking is even, and return to the oven for a further 5-10 minutes but watch closely as it can burn easily. Remove from the oven when golden brown and cool completely.
- Once cooled, store in an airtight jar and serve with Greek yoghurt and berries.
Recipe and photo by Jada Bennett-Cross