Vanilla Coconut Cherry Chocolate Chip Granola

Now that I have gotten the hang of making granola; I’ve decided to make a holiday batch and give it out as Christmas gifts. 

Vanilla flavored seem fitting for this time of year, and who doesn’t like coconut and chocolate chips. The chips made me think of chocolate covered cherries, which I associate with Christmas time, so I decided to throw some dried cherries into the mix. Tart or sweet cherries work fine, it is just a matter of personal preference. 

Making home made granola is inexpensive and tastes better than store bought, you can truly personalize it to your tastes… so go crazy with some holiday flavors and make up your own granola. Nutmeg, cinnamon, orange, are all wonderful seasonal flavors that you can experiment with while making your own granola. Buy some inexpensive little mason jars, fill them up and wrap a ribbon around them. You will have a wonderful teacher, neighbor, postman… gift to give out this holiday season. 

Vanilla Coconut Cherry Chocolate Chip Granola

by Diane Balch
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
(16 servings (1/4 cup a serving)
 
Ingredients: 
  • 3 cups of rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 3 tablespoons of vanilla extract
  • 1/8 cup coconut flakes
  • 1/8 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/8 cup of dried cherries
Instructions:
1) Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees.
2) Line a rimmed baking sheet with a baking mat or parchment paper.
3) Mix the oats, salt, oil, and sugar together in a large bowl.
4) Spread the mixture out in the baking sheet.
5) Bake for 15 minutes before turning the mixture. Make sure you get the edges mixed into the granola, so it cooks evenly. Do this step again in 15 minutes.
6) If the granola is not lightly brown after 30 minutes of baking, mix it and check it every 5 minutes until it is golden, not brown. Keep turning it.
7) When you remove the granola from the oven use a spatula to turn it well. Keep turning it every 5 minutes until it is room temperature.

8) When the granola is cool mix in the coconut, chocolate chips and cherries.

9) Store in an air tight jar for up to one month.