snacking granola clusters
February 21, 2015
Unbridled credit for this recipe (and photo) goes to my daughter, Rebekah (and of course the original blog, The Gouda Life, from whence the recipe came). Bekah is home for reading week and craving all things healthy and non-residence. This snacking granola is perfect because it’s, of course, healthy – full of dates, chia seeds, nuts, and oats – but it’s also both crunchy and chewy, sweet and salty, nutty and fruity, a breakfast and a snack – all in one.
6-8 Mejool dates, pitted and chopped (and/or dried figs)
1 cup maple syrup
1/2 stick cinnamon
1/2 cup cranberries
2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil / virgin coconut oil
2 tbsps chia seeds
2 tbsps amaranth
1 tbsp flax seeds
1/2 cup raw pepitas
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1 cup mixed nuts (pecans, almonds, cashews)
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 tsp sea salt
Place the chopped dates, cranberries, cinnamon stick and syrup in a small pot over medium heat until it starts to bubble. Turn the heat down to a simmer and let the mixture bubble away for 8-10 minutes. By then, you should be able to use the back of a fork or spoon to mush it all together. It should be similar in texture to applesauce with some extra liquid from the syrup seeping out. Remove from heat and let cool.
In a large bowl, mix together all the other ingredients and stir to combine. Pour the slightly cooled syrup mixture over the dry ingredients and stir everything together with a spatula until all the oats/seeds/nuts are covered in the syrup. Turn 1/2 the into a large, high-sided cake pan (I used a 15” x 10” x 2” rectangular baking dish) and pack the mixture down as hard and evenly as you can. Add the rest of the oat mixture and press into the pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove and cool for 20 minutes.
Break up the mixture into large clusters and place back in the pan. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes for crispy-edged clusters.
v:gourmet 
February 21, 2015 at 6:08 pm
Fabulous recipe! Thanks for the great post. Now I am hungry! 🙂
February 21, 2015 at 6:08 pm
Reblogged this on Travels with Mary and commented:
Fabulous recipe!