Gingerbread Granola

If. you’re like me, you cannot get enough gingerbread during the month of December.

So that I don’t eat an entire bag of gingerbread cookies all by myself, I’ve had to get creative with ways I can add gingerbread into my meals.  This granola is great for that since I can start the day with it on top of my yogurt, eat it as a snack, or even grind it up into crumbs and use it as a crush for a dessert.

Since it uses honey (yes, they make vegan honey-usually from apples, and no, you can’t tell the difference), I recommend the you put it on a lower rack in the oven since it does tend to get a bit crispier than my other flavors of granola.  Even though it is baked at a low temperature, it can still burn, so start checking it about 15 minutes before the end time to make sure that isn’t happening.  Oven temperature can vary from oven to oven, so you probably know your oven best and whether or not it is a “fast cook” (to quote My Cousin Vinny).

Also, if you want it to be more of a loose granola instead of large clumps, I recommend stirring it after the first 15 minutes. You can check it at 30 minutes to make sure it doesn’t need another sir, but usually one stir will do it to avoid large clumps. I don’t usually line the pan for granola, but the honey and molasses do tend to make this flavor a bit stickier, so if you are not using a coated pan, you might want to consider lining the pan.

Once it has cooled, it will get crispier than it was when you removed it.  I store mine in a tightly sealed (mason jar) on the counter.  No need to refrigerate as long as it is fully baked (nothing wet or sticky).I add some cacao nibs or dried fruit sometimes to make it taste a little different each time I eat it as well.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ginger
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1  1/2 teaspoon molasses
• 3 Tablespoons oil (I use refined coconut)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
3. Combine wet ingredients in a small bowl, then add wet to dry and stir well to combine.
4. Spread the mixture on a baking pan and bake for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Enjoy!