Homemade Granola with Pecans & Craisins

Happy Monday!

Welcome to HOMEMADE GIFTS FROM THE KITCHEN WEEK at Echoes of Laughter!

I am going to be sharing some tasty treats from the kitchen that will make terrific Christmas gifts for neighbours, friends, teachers, etc.

Although the gifts I will be sharing for the rest of the week will be super simple and only take 15 minutes to make, this one takes longer…mostly because of oven time.

But the effort and time is so worth it…..this granola is the perfectly blend of sweet and crunchy and was a huge hit at my house.

Homemade Granola with Pecans & Craisins

{makes approx. 8 cups}

Ingredients
1/3 vegetable oil
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups rolled oats {I used large flake oats}
2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup craisins or raisins
1 cup chocolate chips, if desired

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300. Lightly coat 2 cookie sheets with non-stick cooking spray.

2. In large bowl using a whisk or spoon, combine vegetable oil,brown sugar, honey, vanilla, cinnamon & salt.

3. Add rolled oats and chopped pecans. Stir to coat oatmeal and pecans with oil & sugar mixture.

4. Dived mixture between 2 cookie sheets and spread evenly. Place in 300 oven for 15 minutes…stirring occasionally.

5. Add 1/2 cup shredded coconut between each sheet and bake another 15 minutes or until granola is golden brown. Watch carefully so it does not burn!

6. When done, cool slightly on cookie sheet and then pour into big bowl. Add 1 cup of craisins or raisins and chocolate chips if using.

There a lot of recipes for homemade granola, but my family loved this recipe and it was gobbled up in no time! It tastes so good with Greek yogurt!

I packaged the granola into 2 cup size mason jars. I purchased the oval labels at Staples and designed the tags at avery.com.

And here’s another tip: if you don’t have fabric scraps to decorate the top of the jars, thick paper dinner napkins cut into circles work just as well….that is what I used here.

This granola can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks…if it lasts that week! {Wink}

Please meet me back here tomorrow for a great 15 minute gift from the kitchen!{Be sure to visit Day 2 and Day 3 of Gifts From the Kitchen Week}

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Comments

Gayle Boyd says

November 13, 2012 at 6:10 am

Sounds yummy! I will have to try it without the nuts but I'm definitely going to try this one!

Kristin says

November 13, 2012 at 1:44 pm

Looks yummy! pinned it for ideas.

Rustown Mom says

November 13, 2012 at 8:03 pm

You had a me at Greek yogurt – that's our new favorite thing. Must make this for Fall mornings. Looks great!

Bronwyn says

November 13, 2012 at 8:30 pm

Oh! Craisins make anything heavenly – but throw in some pecans and I am good to go!! Delish!

WTFab says

November 14, 2012 at 4:31 am

Looks delish and I love how you've wrapped it up! Would love it if you linked up on my blog hop http://www.w-t-fab.com/search/label/bloghop. Also let me know if you'd like to follow each other!

Catie @ Catie's Corner says

November 14, 2012 at 8:26 pm

Angie this looks soo good! I love granola and have yet to make it. I'll have to give your recipe a try. =) I like your candy cane sauce too. How fun!

~ Catie

BTW – You should stop by my blog and enter to win a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates. 🙂

Theresa says

November 17, 2012 at 6:10 pm

Your granola recipe has my favorite ingredients,Yum! Found you via a blog hop & am a new follower. Drop by anytime @ DearCreatives.com

Jill @ KitchenFunWithMy3Sons.com says

November 19, 2012 at 2:16 am

Yum! We would love for you to share this on our Kitchen Fun and Crafty link party! http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2012/11/kitchen-fun-and-crafty-friday-link_15.html

חתולי8 says

December 9, 2012 at 11:26 am

I'ts great!! I'm going to make this!!!
Lior 🙁