Home-Made Cranberry and Pumpkin Seed Granola

I’m a morning person.

I get out of bed, throw open the blinds and I’m ready to start the day.

I’m not a breakfast person.  Yes, I eat breakfast, but I don’t enjoy cooked breakfast.  I don’t love fried eggs or french toast.  I much prefer English muffins and cottage cheese, a piece of toast or a bowl of granola.

I’m so happy to share a bowl of granola with you today.

Homemade granola.  I had been buying granola for quite some time and I was always disappointed when the granola was too sweet.  Do you ever find that?

Anyway, I was reading my friend Jennifer’s blog – The Chronicles of Home – and she had this lovely granola recipe.  If you aren’t familiar with her blog you should really check it out.  She has fabulous recipes, furniture makeovers and her upholstery is a-maz-ing.  Her couch was just featured in BHG.

So I was inspired by her granola.  You see, I had never thought of making my own.  I had no idea how easy it is.  I’ve been playing with different ingredients and this is one I love for autumn.

I make a big batch and store it in this fantastic Ikea jar.

Here’s how I make this granola:

Cranberry & Pumpkin Seed Granola

Ingredients
5 c. old fashioned oats
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
1/2 c. pumpkin seeds
1/4 c. white sesame seeds & black sesame seeds
1 c. almond meal
1c. sliced almonds
1 c. vegetable oil 
3/4 c. raw honey
1 c. dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 300º.

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.  The raw honey is very thick and hard to mix in but do your best to make sure it covers all the ingredients.  Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.


Bake 15 minutes, then stir and bake another 15 minutes.  Give a stir after removing from the oven, then let cool in the pan.  Don’t let cool for too long as it may  get stuck to pan.  

Store in airtight containers, I love the glass jars above.

I found all the ingredients available at Trader Joe’s, expect for the Ikea jar and the Hornstra milk which we get delivered.  Not only is this cereal delicious and not too sweet, but this is a whole lot cheaper than buying a box of granola.  The jar looks so pretty on our counter, too.

Are you on your way over for some granola?!?

Oh, I’ll be teaming up with some friends to share more autumn recipes with you next week:

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