million dollar granola

For the last month or so of my life, I was able to survive off of free granola.

It was a beautiful thing, really. You want me to sample your products? Sure — send them my way!

Then, the granola stopped coming. I would pray on my way home from work every day that more granola would appear on my doorstep one afternoon.

It never happened.

I cried a little.

Until I realized I could make my own.

 
Don’t you just want to squeeze those clusters? I know I do.

But before you get all hot and bothered by this granola, I must tell you there is a secret ingredient.

Peanut Flour — because I only have five more packages of the stuff until it’s gone forever. Remind me start using this stuff sparingly please.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola

Dry Ingredients:

• 3 cups gluten free oats
• 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup raw almonds, roughly chopped
• 3 tbsp. flax seed meal
• 3 tbsp. peanut flour
• 2 tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp. unsweetened applesauce
• 1.5 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 3 tbsp. brown sugar (I realize this is not “wet”)
• 1 tbsp. agave nectar

Mix In:

• 1/2 cup raisins

Directions: Begin by placing your wet ingredients in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat, simmering for 5-10 minutes.

While you’re letting your wet ingredients simmer, grab your sous chef (aka Charlie) and mix all of your dry ingredients in a large bowl.

After your wet ingredients have thickened a little, pour over your dry ingredients and stir, stir, stir until all of your dry ingredients are well coated. Spread over a greased baking sheet. I like to let some areas “pile up” as this means you will get some clusters (clusters = love).

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even baking. Let your granola cool completely (30 minutes to an hour) and add your raisins. Store in an airtight container.

 
If there’s anything I know for sure in life, it is that granola should have clusters.

Oh, and I should win a million dollars.

 
Someone obviously didn’t get the memo about my winning a million dollars, but the Granola Gods heard my cry for clusters.

 
It’s a good thing I got through my 3 day hiatus without any granola in my house. Things were starting to get hairy around here — my eyes were bloodshot, I had visions of dancing oatmeal, and I think I growled at the Husband (twice).

 
So grab a spoon (or your hands), pour yourself some milk, and crunch away.

 
Perhaps I could make a millions dollars selling this?

Reality Check: I’d eat it all before I made a dime.

Question: Clusters or no clusters?

Tagged as: chocolate, granola, granola clusters, homemade granola, peanut flour, recipes