Thank you for everyone who entered for the Flirty Apron Giveaway!! I really wish I had one for each one of you. Since I could not possibly choose just one of you myself, I relied on random.org to generate a number for me. The winning number was…206
Comment 206 was left by Michelle, Jack and Charlie! , who wrote:
“The original sassy black is the one I would love to cook up a storm in:) Thanks for doing this! I just love your blog and have told all my friends to check it out:) “
Thanks so much! Please email me at [email protected] with your address and I will get the original sassy black apron out to you!
This granola recipe is EXCELLENT!! I love it! I have tried different granola recipes and they have been too sweet, soggy or sticky…but this one is just perfect! It even stays crunchy in milk! I love that it has flax seed in it. (they are rich in Omega 3′s –always a plus in your diet!) I also love the cardamon in it. I had never used it before (I actually bought the spice for this recipe). I am definitely going to find other recipes to use it in. I think it has a slightly woodsy aroma and adds a subtle, intriguing flavor! (I cannot remember where I scribbled this recipe down from–I made a few changes–but thanks to someone!)
My Favorite Granola
submitted by Melanie
3 ¼ cups oats (Old Fashioned or Quick—any combination)
1 ¼ cup whole wheat flour-freshly ground if possible
1 1/3 cup shredded coconut
¼ cup flax seed (optional)
1 cup or more coarsely chopped almonds and/or pecans
1 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
1/3 cup water
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp cardamom
Preheat oven to 300. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, flax seed, coconut and nuts. Set aside. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, butter, and water and heat until the butter has melted and the mixture is bubbly. Using a wooden spoon, stir the mixture together until smooth, and then stir in the salt, vanilla and spices. Pour mixture over the oats mixture and stir will to coat. Let stand for about 10 minutes.
Spread mixture on a large baking sheet, separating it into irregular clumps with your fingers, and allowing space between clumps for the hot air to circulate. Slide it into the middle of the oven and bake until the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir to break up the mixture into medium sized clumps. Return to the oven and bake again for 15 minutes before stirring again. Bake for another 15 minutes or until the granola is uniform golden brown and completely dry—this usually takes me about 45 minutes . Cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an air tight container.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I love love love this granola! In fact Eric ate the last of it this morning so I will probably be making it today! We seriously always have to have it on hand these days… it is so good!
I am vehemently opposed to buying cardamom because its extreme price. Just can't justify a $17 for a few tablespoons of anything. Would this still be tasty if I omitted it or added a little extra cinnamon instead? Or nutmeg?
Hi Carrie,
I too would not buy a spice for $17–yikes! I bought my ground cardamom for around $3.00 for 1 oz. It is the 'Grandma's Country Spices' brand and i bought it at Kohlers in Highland UT. I now live in Tennessee, so I am not sure how expensive it is here. I bought that last jar a year ago and I am still using it. It smells great–so I think it is fine. But if you can't find it for a decent price, then you could definetly leave it out. I think nutmeg or extra cinnamon would be wonderful too! Good luck!
I LOVE this recipe, which I tried after seeing your post many moons ago. I checked all of our local grocery stores trying to find a decent price on cardamom without luck. I finally broke down and paid $11 for the 1 oz. bottle at Walmart. Ugh. But the granola was FANTASTIC and the cardamom adds so much to it. 2 days after opening the bottle I went to Cost Plus World Market for a gift and discovered to my HORROR that they carry a huge selection of spices, and have cardamom (same size I bought) for like $3. No kidding. So if you have a Cost Plus, check there before coughing up the big dough.
I love granola, I make homemade granola bars all the time, thanks for the recipe.
Mindy:thanks for commenting on my apron comment. I guess that Nate will just have to wait a little longer for his fantasy to be fulfilled. HaHa. Love you girls and your recipes. I am making one of the salads for a baby shower tonight.
Steph
I can't imagine leaving cardamom out of this. I think it MAKES the recipe.
But I would also balk at spending $17… I can't remember how much I bought mine for, it's McCormick, but it was SOOO worth it, just for this recipe. I make it all the time. It always gets rave reviews, and I've never tasted a better granola- ever!
Boy I'm going to have to find some cheap Cardamom somewhere! I make this recipe weekly (we love it!) and I have never used Cardamom. I always just double the cinnamon. But i'm really interested to try it the real way now!
This looks so yummy!
Have a wonderful weekend girls!
I make this granola recipe all the time (minus the Cardamon since I can't find it cheap). I've tried other granola recipes but this is the best! My husband also agrees that this is his favorite!
Thanks for this recipe. This would be great for breakfast for our fam. Yum!
Homemade granola is such a wonderful treat.
Finally got around to making this. It's the 4th granola recipe we've tried and far and away the best! Can't say enough about it's deliciousness!
I ended up using 3/4 tsp cinnamon and 1/4ish tsp nutmeg. We live in a VERY small town… nearest Walmart is 45 minutes away and the nearest mall is 2 hours away… can you imagine shopping for anything unique/specialty here??? Drives me nuts! Thanks for the help, and for the recipe. Will be making regularily!
I made this yesterday and gave some to a friend and we both love it. The cardamom was totally worth it! Thanks!
I just wanted to tell you how much I love your blog. I've made many of the recipes on here, but never posted a comment. But I have to say that I am in LOVE with this granola. It was gone in a day at our house! Also if anyone lives near a winco, they have cardamom in the bulk section for really cheap. Gotta love the bulk section!
I'm trying your cranberry pork roast for the first time today. Thanks for the great recipes!
A recipe with cardamom in it by the Pioneer Woman. and buttered chicken is fantastic.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/main-courses/butter-chicken-2/
I can't wait to make this! Have you ever tried it with regular whole wheat flour instead of white wheat? Do you think it would still turn out okay?
Hi Whitney,
When the recipe says White Wheat flour that is referring to Whole Wheat flour. It should probably just say Whole Wheat flour (I'll ask Melanie about that), but anyway, it's just referring to whole wheat flour that is ground from white wheat berries, as opposed to red wheat berries. I'm sure red wheat would be fine too, but I always use white wheat berries when I grind whole wheat, because it's better.
Hope that helps! :) Let us know if you have any other questions.
(and by the way, this is the best granola in the whole world, so enjoy!)
Melanie
Hi I love love this granola but I was wondering if there was any thing I can do instead of putting sugar in the granola. Any ideas??
thanks
Raelynn
this is seriously delicious! love this recipe :)