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On Christmas morning I always make a big family breakfast. The only problem is trying to decide … do we eat first or open presents? Often presents win over breakfast and before you know it’s noon and everyone is starved. This year I’m making this overnight granola to serve when our family arrives. Sprinkle a few scoops on top of plain Greek Yogurt and you have a protein packed satisfying snack. Hopefully everyone will be full long enough for the biscuits, muffins, eggs and breakfast meats to be cooked and baked.
The lovely scent of cardamom and cinnamon filled the house as the granola baked in the oven overnight. The sweet red cherries and crunchy nuts make this a wonderful simple treat.
I had a few pistachios and hazelnuts in the cabinet so I threw them in. Use any nuts and fruits you have on hand. It’s all good!
A wonderful, simple treat using any nuts and fruits you have on hand.
Ingredients
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups sliced almonds
- 1 cup assorted nuts I used hazelnuts and pistachios
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut chips
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¾ cup good quality pure maple syrup
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar packed
- ¾ cup dried cherries I used sweetened
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large, rimmed heavy-duty baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In an extra-large mixing bowl combine the oats, almonds, assorted nuts, coconut, cinnamon, salt and cardamom. Mix with a spatula to combine. Add the brown sugar, breaking up any chunks along with the olive oil and maple syrup. Gently stir until everything is well coated.
- Spread the granola in the parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Gently stir the baked granola and put it back in the oven. Turn the oven off, shut the door and wait 6-12 hours without disturbing. Break up any large clumps and stir in the dried cherries. Serve with milk or yogurt and store left overs in an air tight container.
Recipe Notes
- Note: This recipe is designed to be made the night before serving so it will be ready for breakfast the following morning. It may be stored in an airtight container for up to one month.
- (recipe adapted from Fine Cooking)
Nutrition
Calories: 6865kcal | Carbohydrates: 640g | Protein: 156g | Fat: 440g | Saturated Fat: 95g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 79g | Monounsaturated Fat: 245g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2454mg | Potassium: 5777mg | Fiber: 115g | Sugar: 271g | Vitamin A: 3258IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 1665mg | Iron: 38mg
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Are you baking this week or decorating, or both? We haven’t finished decorating but hope to soon! Christmas is quickly sneaking up on us. I would love to bake all month long making old recipes and new but I guess we can’t live on cookies alone, darn.
Have a wonderful week and please stop by my Facebook Page to see my daily posts of Christmas and holiday goodies throughout December. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
I love homemade granola. I make something similar, and I like your idea of using different kinds of nuts. This looks great!
Kari Lindsay says
With so much indulging during the holidays, this is just the yummy healthy kind of thing I need to keep my system in check!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I would love this stuff, Christmas morning or any other morning!
Elzbieta Hester says
What a fantastic and beautiful mix! Have to try it 🙂 ela
Wendy says
Waking up to the delicious smells of baking spices is heavenly any day of the year. How perfect to have family arrive Christmas day to the scents of cinnamon and cardamom and the crunch of oven warm granola!
Kitchen Belleicious says
i was just looking for a new granola recipe the other day and now it looks like I have a great one to try out
Angie Schneider says
I love homemade granola, actually that's the only granola I eat. Yours looks so good and nutritious.
Anna and Liz Recipes says
What a wonderful idea ! I think I will make this too for Christmas morning- it will make my life easy not to mention a healthier breakfast after the feast the night before. Thanks Tricia !
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
I just did this recipe, only with different fruits and nuts, and I can tell you it is addicting! Great photos, too. In fact, I'm ready to make my third batch tomorrow and am considering it for gifts! Mine had a bit more salt…Good one, Tricia!
Mary Callan says
Ohhh this looks perfect to wake up to! LOVE homemade granola and yours sounds scrumptious<br />Mary x
Chris Scheuer says
Tricia, this looks amazing. Such a fun, unique recipe too, leaving it in the oven overnight is such an interesting concept. I bet that makes it really crisp and crunchy. I love all of your ingredients, a truly delicious combination. I would love to have this around for snacking in addition to breakfast.
Mallory Frayn says
Love how you used nice, big shreds of coconut in this! It looks delicious!
Monica says
Your granola looks delicious, nutritious, and festive all at the same time. : ) I love a good granola and the idea of having it around on Christmas morning is very smart! We are in full Christmas-mode here…tree's up, house decorated, and plenty of cookies being baked and devoured. Happy Holidays to you and yours!