Handmade holiday gifts sound like a good idea until you find yourself in Santa's workshop, covered in glue and glitter, with a jewelry box that looks as if a six year old made it. Here's a gift that won't result in your DIY downfall: homemade granola. Making granola is easy. In less than an hour, with hardly any work, you will have a tasty treat to gift to your lovelies. Bonus: packaging doesn't require a hellish trip to a strip mall to wait in a long line at Michael's. All you need is an old glass jar and the new trendy foodie accessory, baker's twine.
People go nuts for this stuff. I handed a jar to Josie's daycare provider and she started giggling with excitement. The key to this granola is to make sure you give it away before the "elf on the shelf" eats it.
Homemade Granola
Ina Garten via the Food Network
Makes about twelve cups
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Notes from the Arugula Files
- Keep a watchful eye on your oats; they burn quickly.
- Buy the best honey you can afford; it will make a difference in the final product.
Ingredients
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 2 cups sliced almonds
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup good honey
- 1 1/2 cups small diced dried apricots
- 1 cup small diced dried figs
- 1 cup dried cherries
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup roasted, unsalted cashews
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Toss the oats, coconut, and almonds together in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Pour onto a 13 by 18 by 1-inch sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 45 minutes.
Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Add the apricots, figs, cherries,cranberries, and cashews. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.
