Granola Cookies

Don't let this cookie fool ya. It's chocked full of goodness, but not lacking in the caramelly, and chewy department. I make these babies big. That way one is enough. I like to play tricks on my mind. Make cookies bigger then I can say I only ate one, when really one equals three.

I use my homemade granola, but you can use any granola you like. Store bought, homemade, what ever floats your boat.

These are a thin cookie. Chewy. Slightly browned, on the verge of burnt around the edges. This gives them a distinct salty caramel flavor. Perfect for dunkin' in your javaJO, or milk.

Granola Cookies

printable recipe

1 cup butter softened

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups granola crushed

1 cup old fashioned oats

1 cup rice crispy cereal

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup golden raisins

preheat oven to 350 degrees

-Using your mixer cream butter, add sugars and vanilla, beat until smooth and creamy.

- Add one egg at a time, mix on medium speed for 1-2 minutes.

- Mix flour, baking powder, and baking soda together in separate bowl, then gradually add dry ingredients to butter mixture, until combined.

- Add in granola, oats, rice cereal, nuts and raisins. This will get thick, and hard to stir, make sure you take the time to incorporate add ins well. Feel free to add more nuts or dried fruits. Or to change the flavors to your liking. (dried cherries, blueberries, apples, walnuts, almonds...the skies the limit)

-Drop large spoonfuls, approximately 1/4 cup for giant cookies, onto parchment lined baking sheets. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 14-17 minutes. When edges are browned and the middle doesn't appear doughy at all, remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheet, before removing.

Makes 12-16 large cookies.

Granola Cookies are a great way to get lots of vitamins and fiber into my kiddos, and they don't even know what hit them! They're a great after school snack. You could also slip them in baggies and stick them in your freezer for lunch boxes.

Did I tell you my Kenny bought me a new freezer? Isn't that romantic? He knows how to make his gal go GAh-gAH....... No really, I went GAh-gaH. Like the Loon that I am, I sold my freezer on a whim at my girlfriend Caths garage sale....what was I thinking? I've been grumbling about it ever since. But not anymore I am freezing everything...stocken up, bein' thrifty, or whatever you want to call it. I just like saying, "Oh yeah we've got another one in the freezer...just a second I've got to run to my NEW freezer.....Hey yeh there's some in the freeZOR." You want to see it? Yeh...K, cool.

TA-DAH!

Isn't she luverly?

I'm attempting to cut back on the goodies. So far so good today. But you can have at.

Go! Shoo-shoo...go bake some of these and eat one for me.

Thanks, You're awesome!

HOMEmade gifts- GRANOLA

Homemade Granola makes for a wonderful gift. It's easy to make and it's a great snack or can be eaten for breakfast in a number of ways. Granola is also easy to personalize to your taste or the taste of the person you are giving it to. And very easy to make with your children, for giving to their teachers, coaches, and bus drivers. Sure beats a gift certificate from BK Lounge or McyD's.

Granola
printable recipe

1 stick butter

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups old fashioned oats

1/2 cup nuts whatever sort you love, we prefer pecans

1/2 cup of at least two dried fruits more if you like (cherries, blueberries, cranberries, apples, raisins, golden raisins, currents....the skies the limit!)

1/2 cup pepitas (optional)

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup flax seed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Hello there shoogA!

Please make this your own. Using any combination of nuts and fruits and you prefer or that the recipient of your gift would love. The only thing that is not optional is the oats!

Blend oats, fruits, nuts, wheat germ, flax seed, and pepitas in a large mixing bowl. Then in a sauce pan combine butter, maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, and salt bring to a boil, stirring continuously until butter is completely melted and syrup begins to thicken. About 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Allow syrup to cool for a few minutes before pouring over dry mix of oats, nuts and fruits. Fold syrup into dry mix with a spatula until it is completely incorporated.

Spray an 11x15 inch sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray, spread granola in pan and press down. Place pan in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.

After granola is cooled use a spatula to break it up into pieces.

If you are keeping all this goodness for your self then you will need to store it in an airtight container. Granola freezes well, if stored in freezer Ziploc bags, making sure that it is completely cooled and removing as much air as possible before freezing.

If you are making it for giving then you can fill plastic lined 1/2 lb. brown paper bags like these that I found at the Webstaurant Store. Or you could fill Ziploc bags with granola and place them in a pretty gift bag, or fill any number of airtight Christmas themed containers that are in grocery stores everywhere this time of year. You might even want to write the recipe out on a recipe card to give along with your gift of homemade Granola, because once they have it they are going to want more! It's addicting.

Happy Giving!