Crunchy Granola with Dark Chocolate, Cherries and Dates

Homemade granola is so easy to make and you have total control of the ingredients.  This is a great granola recipe made with old-fashioned oats, Post Grape-nuts, cashews, almonds, dried Bing cherries and dates – all combined with a maple and honey flavored chocolate sauce.  The chocolate adds a mild chocolate flavor with every bite.  The final product is a crunchy flavorful granola.
 

Be sure to choose good quality semi-sweet chocolate.  I do not recommend using a baking chocolate.  Additionally, you can substitute the dried fruit I use here with any dried fruit of your choice; just be sure to read the ingredient label.  When choosing your dried fruit, make sure the only ingredient listed is the dried fruit, and no other additives. 

Enjoy! 

 

Note:  Diabetics…this recipe is high in carbohydrates.  Follow your dietary guidelines if you wish to eat this granola.

 

Crunchy Granola with Dark Chocolate, Cherries and Dates

1 Cup Chopped salted cashews

1 Cup Unsalted blanched slivered almonds
4 Cups Old-fashioned Quaker Oats
1 ½  Cups Post Grape-nuts
1 Tbls. Light brown sugar
1 ½ Tbls. Ground cinnamon
¼ cup Canola oil
¼ cup honey
1/3 Cup Pure maple syrup
1 3-Ounce bar Semi-sweet dark chocolate bar (good quality); chopped
1 Cup Dried Bing cherries
½ Cup Dried dates
 

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees

Prepare a large baking sheet pan by lining the bottom and sides with parchment paper.

In a very large mixing bowl, add the cashews, almonds, oats, grape-nuts, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Mix thoroughly.

 

Place a small saucepan over low heat.  Add the oil, honey, syrup and heat until hot, but not bubbling.  Add the chopped chocolate, stir and remove from heat. Continue to stir until the chocolate is melted and sauce is thick and syrupy.

Pour half the chocolate mixture over the oats mixture, and mix.  Repeat with other half of chocolate mixture.

Transfer the granola to the prepared baking sheet pan and spread in an even layer.  Place in the oven and bake for 40 minutes, mixing the granola halfway through.

Remove from oven and stir in the cherries.

Let granola cool, and then transfer to an airtight container.  Store in the refrigerator.

Some serving ideas:

• Eat as a cereal in a bowl with milk
• Sprinkle over cottage cheese
• Sprinkle over low-fat vanilla yogurt
• Sprinkle over frozen yogurt
• Sprinkle over fresh berries
• Do you already eat oatmeal for breakfast; add a few tablespoons of this granola to your cooked oatmeal
• Create parfaits alternating yogurt then granola