Chocolate, Cherry & Coconut Granola

Good evening!

If you never made homemade granola, you have to. It is easy. And it is cheaper & yummier than store-bought granola. And you have more flavor choices too .
Since making my first granola as a gift on Christmas, I only eat my own. So good with yogurt, maple syrup & chia seeds!

Adaptation of “Coconut, Chocolate, Cherry Granola”, Keep it simple foods

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup flax seeds
• 3/4 cup pecans, chopped
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup cacao nibs

Directions: Preheat oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, mix oats, wheat germ, flax seeds, pecans, cocoa powder, cinnamon and salt. In the microwave or on the stove top, melt coconut oil. Whisk in maple syrup and vanilla and add to dry ingredients. Toss until well coated.
Evenly spread the granola on the baking sheet. Bake for 30-35 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheet, then transfer to a bowl. Add dried cherries, shredded coconut and cacao nibs and toss. Store in an air-tight container.

Note: depending on your stove, you might need to bake at 300°F.

Makes approximately 4 1/2 cups of granola.

This granola is crunchy and delicious; it has to be – it’s chocolate! If you don’t have cacao nibs, you can replace them with chopped very dark chocolate. It is important to stir the granola while it is baking or the sides will burn!