This year my kids and I made granola as a gift to our friends and family for the holidays. I’ve had several requests for the recipe, and even a few demands of “Can you just make me some more?” It doesn’t last long at my house either, so here is the recipe. This is a healthy, homemade, gluten-free recipe refined from a number of granola recipes out on the web. I chose from the flavors and spices that I like best, and I think I have winner here:

Ingredients:

6 C. organic, gluten-free oats
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 TBS cinnamon
1 TBS raw, organic cacao powder
1 tsp. fresh-ground nutmeg
1 tsp. fresh-ground cloves
1/2 C. raw pepita (aka shelled pumpkin seeds)
3/4 C. sliced almonds
1 C. pecans
1/2 C. flax seeds
1 C. unsweetened, shredded coconut
1 C. honey
1 C. coconut oil
1 C. dried cherries or cranberries
1 C. dried blueberries

• Note: This is the mix that I love. Feel free to get creative with other spices, dried fruits, seeds and nuts.

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dried ingredients: oats, salt, cinnamon, cacao powder, spices, nuts and seeds.

Mix all the dry ingredients together until the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Now spread the dry ingredients evenly over a large sheet pan. Use the largest pan you have, to make stirring easier. Set this aside for a moment.

In a pan, stir and melt the coconut oil and honey over low to medium heat.

Carefully pour the honey/oil mixture over the dry ingredients in the pan.

Use a large spoon or spatula to mix the oil and honey into the granola. Make sure the granola is evenly coated.

Place the sheet pan into the oven, and bake for about 20 minutes.

Pull the pan out of the oven, and stir and turn the granola so that it cooks evenly.

Return the pan to the oven for another 20 minutes or so. Watch to make sure it doesn’t burn or overcook.

Now transfer the cooked granola back to your large bowl. Use an oven mitt, the pan will be very hot, and the granola holds heat for quite a while.

Stir in the dried berries/fruit.

Once cooled, store your granola in an airtight container.

One of my favorite breakfast treats: a bowl of plain greek yogurt, a dollop of honey, some homemade granola, and fresh berries. Delicioso!