So, I am not really known for my self control around baked goods. I can usually hold it together and only eat 1 or 2 servings of whatever I have made, occasionally sneaking a third in my closet, if it is really good. However, I do have a weak spot for granola, and this white chocolate granola totally owned me. Like, to the point that I had to promise myself that I would never make it again. It was that good.
I am not going to pretend that granola is health food, like so many bloggers before me. Yes, it has oats, dried fruit, seeds, etc… It is very energy dense, which is great if you are a marathoner, or hiking or weightlifting a lot. For the rest of us, let’s just say that it is delicious and leave it at that…
This actually was intended to be a teacher’s gift for Appreciation Week at our school. Let’s just say that some of it actually made it to the teachers, and that it was difficult for me to part ways with it. It would make a fantastic holiday teacher gift or brunch treat with some good yogurt. You could even give it as a housewarming or hostess gift. Pretty much anyone would be happy with it, I think. Here’s how I threw it together with random stuff I had in my pantry:
First I mixed together the oats, sunflower seeds, chia, crushed gingersnaps, salt, spices, and chopped medjool dates (you could add the dates after the baking, if you want them to remain super moist).
Next, in a measuring cup, combine 1/3 cup oil, 1/3 cup maple syrup and/ or honey (I used about 1/2 and 1/2 of both), vanilla extract, and a heaping 1/4 cup of brown sugar. I microwaved the whole shebang in a few 30 second increments, stirring in between until the sugar was dissolved.
Pour the the wet mixture over the dry and mix well, until everything is coated.
Pour this all out onto a parchment or non-stick foil lined baking sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, stir, and return to oven for 10 minutes. Stir again, and bake in 5 minute increments, repeating if necessary, until the mixture is golden brown but still a bit moist. Be careful not to burn it, and do not wait until mixture is completely dry. This will crisp up after cooling.
See, it will crisp and clump when it is cool, and only then…
When it is completely cool, add white chocolate chips, and if you chose to wait to add the dates, add those as well. If you want, dried cherries are delicious in here, as would be toasted nuts (if you are not allergic). I wanted to keep this free of nuts for my family, but feel free to customize it with whatever you like. I ended up adding some minced crystallized ginger, as well. Place in a ziplock bag or in pretty treat bags, tied with ribbons and enjoy!
P.s. I highly recommend this white chocolate granola served atop tart cherry or pumpkin Noosa yogurt or Stonyfield “Oh My Yog” in gingered pear or apple-cinnamon.
p.p.s. Feel free to leave out the chia, the dates, or the crystallized ginger. I would highly recommend that you leave at least some white chocolate in there, because as we discussed before, this is not a health food anyway….live a little!
p.p.p.s. If you leave out the gingersnaps (or use gluten free ones), this would be gluten free. This is assuming you used gluten free oats and all of your other ingredients were gluten free, of course.
Gingersnap White Chocolate Granola
- 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds (or could sub pepitas)
- 1/4 cups chia seeds
- 3/4 cup Gingersnap cookies, crushed (optional, but highly recommended)
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice blend
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup medjool dates, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup oil (I used canola, but vegetable or melted coconut oil would work)
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup (or a combo of both works well)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark, your choice)
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips (give or take, depending on what you like)
- 2 tablespoons crystallized ginger, minced (optional)
- 1/2 cup dried cherries (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees (I used 325 convection). In a large bowl, mix oats, all seeds, Gingersnaps, spices, salt, and dates.
In a large measuring cup, combine oil, honey and/or maple syrup, vanilla, and brown sugar. Whisk together. Microwave by 30 second intervals, watching carefully. When mixture bubbles at edges and sugar is melted, pour over dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly to coat.
On a large, parchment-lined baking sheet, spread granola out into a thin, even layer. Bake for 15 minutes. Stir mixture and return to oven for 10 minutes. Stir again. Return to oven for 5 minute intervals, stirring in between, until mixture is golden brown, but still a bit moist in the center. Cool completely.
Break up any large clumps into a zip top bag. Add white chocolate, minced ginger, and cherries, if desired. Serve or store in a air-tight container or bag. Great as a cereal, ice cream or yogurt topping, gifting, or for snacking.
*Mine only lasted 2 days, but I would imagine it would keep for a week or more. Good luck with it not disappearing sooner, though.
