Morning Crunch Granola

I wish I had a good story about this granola.

Quite honestly, I had run out of my last batch of pumpkin granola and needed to make more. Good timing for the blog. This recipe is one I've used many times but haven't made in awhile thanks to the fact that I couldn't find unsweetened granola in my local supermarket anymore.

Yesterday, I smacked my head in a moment of clarity: I should have tried Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. And lo and behold, there it sat, several nice big bags of unsweetened coconut in the baking aisle in Whole Foods. I feel like an idiot sometimes.

This recipe would, I'm sure, be just fine with the standard shredded sweetened coconut-but this is already very sweet-so I was a little worried that I'd send myself into a sugar high and never did it. I kind of like the unsweetened coconut, anyway. If you decide to do it, let me know how it turns out.



I lovelovelove this recipe. I love the way it makes my house smell, I love the way it tastes, I love the colors. It's so good. It's really easy (well, let's be honest-most granolas are). It gives me something to look forward to in the mornings. It is a great breakfast over yogurt or a mid morning snack.

Thank Fog Island again for this one. They haven't proven me wrong in a recipe yet.

Morning Crunch Granola (from Nantucket Recipes From the Fog Island Cafe, by Mark and Anne Dawson)

Ingredients
1 pound rolled oats (Don't get the instant kind)
4 oz. sliced almonds (roughly a half cup)
4 oz. chopped walnuts
1 c. unsweetened shredded coconut
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
zested rind from one orange
3 oz. honey
3 oz. maple syrup (REAL maple syrup!)
1 cup apple juice
4 oz raisins
other dried fruits (optional-I use dried cranberries)

1. Mix the oats, nuts, coconut, cinnamon, and orange zest in a bowl.
2. Stir in honey, maple syrup, and apple juice and combine fully.
3. Put parchment paper on a sheet pan and spread granola mix in an even layer.
4. Put granola in a preheated 325 degree oven for 10 minutes.
5. Redistribute/stir granola (pull it out of the oven first!) and then put it back for another 10 minutes. Repeat this process until the granola is browned and a bit crispy. Let cool.
6. Add raisins and any other dried fruit you desire. Store in an airtight container.

Enjoy this granola with yogurt, milk, or just by itself!