Baking is one of my favorite holiday traditions, especially because these goodies are the perfect homemade gifts for family, friends and coworkers. Unfortunately, many seasonal treats are not-so-healthy, but homemade granola offers at least three antioxidant-rich foods linked to reducing your risk for cancer: oats, nuts and cranberries. It’s also easy to make and customize with your favorite nuts, seeds and dried fruits.
Try out this easy and delicious recipe for gingerbread granola.
Gingerbread granola
Adapted from The Kitchn
4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 ½ cups raw pecans, walnuts and/or pistachios
1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ cup olive oil
⅓ cup maple or agave syrup or honey
2 tablespoons molasses
¾ teaspoon vanilla
⅓ cup dried cranberries or cherries
Preheat oven to 350◦ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine all dry ingredients (through ground cloves) in a large bowl then add remaining ingredients except cranberries. Mix until all ingredients are coated. Spread mixture evenly onto pan, pressing down with a spatula. Bake for 20 minutes, then stir and press down with spatula again. Bake for additional 10 minutes or until granola is golden brown. Let cool completely, then break into pieces and mix in dried cranberries. For a gift, put in a glass mason jar and add a ribbon.
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