I cannot even believe there’s only about 1 week left until Christmas. My house has been decorated for a while and I have been wrapping way too many gifts (note to self, next year needs less gifts). The thing is…I have baked exactly zero cookies. I don’t know what’s going on, but I need to make some cookies happen asap. BUT, I have baked 2 batches of this granola for gifting and it is pretty much the equivalent of a cookie in granola form.
A buttery, oat-y, pecan studded, and maple soaked cookie in a granola outfit.
I usually go the coconut or olive oil route with granola, but since tis’ the season and all that jingle-jangley-Christmas-jazz, I went with butter. OH, MAN. Granola game changer. The butter gets that browned flavor from the long, low bake in the oven and mingles with the maple syrup that sweetens the granola in the most perfect, amazing, way. It’ll make your kitchen smell like butter and maple drenched heaven. It’s definitely not you’re health-conscious-crunchy-granola. More like your butter-drenched-sweet-and-decadent type of granola. I couldn’t help but eat a handful (okay, maybe 2) right off the sheet pan, still warm. I mean, the oats make it healthy-ish and the buttery, maple-y, pecan and coconut studded bits make it special and oh-so holiday appropriate. I packed it into jars and added a little tag for a super-easy, super-delicious gift.
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF and lightly grease (I like to use coconut oil spray) or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, pecans, coconut, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a small saucepan combine the maple syrup and butter. Heat over medium-high until the butter is melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Add the maple-butter mixture to the oats mixture and stir to coat completely. Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet and bake in 15 minute intervals, stirring between each, for about 1 hour or until the granola is golden and starting to crisp. It will become more crisp as it cools.
Favorite flavors right here. YUM!
This granola looks lovely! Such a yummy way to begin the day!
I need approximately one ton of this stuff! I’ve been on a huge granola kick lately and this one is calling my name in all kinds of ways 🙂
Um you just reminded me that I need to wrap presents, dang it! I’ll pour myself a bowl of this and be on my way!
I don’t think I dare use butter on my granola for fear of never going back! Oh man, this sounds so great!
mmm my favorite ice cream flavor in chewy, sweet, salty granola! looks delicious!
Ahh! I have the opposite problem…I have baked allthecookies and done exactly zero shopping! To go with my procrastination, I might as well bake some of this granola 🙂
This looks delicious! A classic flavor turned into granola. Amazing.
Perfect gift for – myself! 😀 Happy Holidays 🙂