Homemade Cherry Vanilla Granola

This easy breakfast recipe is not too sweet, has just the right amount of crunch and chewy texture, and subtly spiced with cinnamon and vanilla.  Serve it as a cereal with milk, or as a topping for yogurt. It’s also sublime sprinkled over ice cream as well.

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An easy breakfast recipe for homemade cherry vanilla granola with oats, honey, brown sugar, dates, cashews, sliced almonds, vanilla, and cinnamon.

During my ‘road warrior’ days, it was always a treat to stay at a gorgeous Bed & Breakfast instead of corporate housing or a lonely hotel.  I adored the hominess of a B&B and especially the breakfasts. My favorite was always the homemade granola. I loved it. Still do.

Now that I have the luxury of enjoying family and friends in my home, I love making a batch of granola and storing it in a pretty airtight canister on the counter.  I take joy in seeing those that I love reaching in for a handful as a snack or to top yogurt or ice cream. What could be more gratifying?

This easy breakfast recipe is just sweet enough with hints of vanilla, almond, and cinnamon.  Sliced almonds and whole cashews provide crunch, dates add a chewy, sweetness, and the dried cherries, which compliment the vanilla so well, provide a tartness and beautiful texture.

WHAT IS GRANOLA?

Granola is a cereal made out of grains, such as oats or wheat germ, seeds, dried fruits, nuts, and some kind of sweetener.  It is then baked and toasted until warm and crunchy.

While this easy breakfast recipe is high in carbs, it is also high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins.  If you keep the portions smaller, the good outweighs the bad.

An easy breakfast recipe for homemade cherry vanilla granola with oats, honey, brown sugar, dates, cashews, sliced almonds, vanilla, and cinnamon.

TIPS FOR MAKING GREAT GRANOLA

  • Cater the ingredients to your tastes.  If you like raisins and peanuts, then swap them into the recipe.  Toasted coconut, chia seeds, any dried fruits, or nuts can be included.
  • Use plain, old fashioned rolled oats.  Don’t try using instant oats or steel-cut oats.
  • Want sugar free?  Try a little bit of liquid stevia or a sugar substitute.  You can try mixing it into the oil. Be prepared, you may need a bit more oil.
  • If you like bigger clumps of granola, press down on the mixture when you remove the pan from the oven.  When cool, break into bits.

If you like this recipe, please consider a few of my other breakfast recipes:

Here are a few more delicious granola recipes from around the web (and these too are insane on yogurt or ice cream!):

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An easy breakfast recipe for homemade cherry vanilla granola with oats, honey, brown sugar, dates, cashews, sliced almonds, vanilla, and cinnamon.

HOMEMADE CHERRY VANILLA GRANOLA


Description

An easy breakfast recipe for homemade granola that is sweet, crunchy, with notes of almond, vanilla, and cinnamon.  Serve this milk, over yogurt, or as a topping for ice cream.


Ingredients

Scale

3 tablespoons coconut oil

2 tablespoons maple syrup

½ cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

¼  cup sliced almonds

¼ cup honey roasted cashews

¾ cup dried cherries

¾ cup chopped dates


Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the oil, maple syrup, sugar, vanilla and almond extract, cinnamon, and salt.  Stir until all of the ingredients are fully combined.

Pour in the oats, almonds, cashews, cherries, and dates.  Stir into the sugar mixture until it is fully coated.

Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared pan.  Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, stir and shake the mixture into a single layer and return to the oven to bake for 10 more minutes.  Repeat this process again and return to the oven for 5 to 7 minutes longer until the granola looks dry, slightly golden and is very fragrant.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.  The granola will last stored at room temperature for up to 10 days.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 27 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: easy breakfast recipe, granola recipes, breakfast, homemade granola, brunch

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