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Homemade Crunchy Granola

Homemade Crunchy Granola | Magnolia Days

The holiday gift giving season has arrived. Stores are packed with items hoping you will purchase them to give to your family and friends. Mailboxes are overflowing with offers. While buying gifts is nice, making homemade ones is better. Something is very special about a gift someone took time to make. It is a thoughtful expression of appreciation to those on the receiving end. One easy gift to make and give is homemade crunchy granola.

How to gift wrap granola? Put it in mason jars, tie a ribbon around the tops and you are done. You can also tie a small decorative or wooden spoon to it as an extra gift. Another idea is to put the jar in a pretty small bowl and cover it with clear cellophane wrap. Gather the wrap at the top and tie with a ribbon. The great thing about mason jars is they have so many uses beyond canning. Here are a few:

  • Storage for small items such a buttons
  • Pen and pencil holder
  • Flower vase
  • Drinking glasses
  • Storage for food (pantry or leftovers)

Homemade Crunchy Granola | Magnolia Days

How is the homemade crunchy granola? Well, it’s crunchy. It’s filled with oats, wheat germ, coconut, dried fruits, nuts, and chocolate covered candies. Using seasonal colored candies makes it great for the holidays. The small amount of melted chocolate candies in the mix adds an extra heavenly smell when it is baking. The flavor from it is subtle. It is a great snack and can also be used as a topping for yogurt or ice cream.

Homemade Crunchy Granola | Magnolia Days

Do you make homemade gifts? I’ve made many over the years including Monster Cookies Mix, Rocky Road, Tiger Butter, Spiced Pecans, and Fantastic Fudge. All of them can be packaged or stored in mason jars. You can also find some more fabulous recipes and gift ideas by talented bloggers below. We have come together to thanks to Heather at girlichef, our host for this Handcrafted Holidays event featuring Freund Container products. Take a look and get ready to be inspired:

Handcrafted Holidays with Freund Collage

Handcrafted Holiday ideas for making gifts from your kitchen using products from Freund Container:

Homemade Crunchy Granola

A recipe for homemade crunchy granola made with oats, coconut, wheat germ, nuts, dried fruits, and chocolate covered candies.
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 10 cups
Author Renee

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 2 1/2 cups candy coated chocolates like M&M's, divided
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 4 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
  • 1 1/2 cups wheat germ
  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup dried fruit
  • 1/2 cup choppped pecans
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Arrange oven racks to upper and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F. Lightly grease two 13- X 18- X 1-inch baking sheets.
  2. Add coconut oil, 1/2 cup chocolates, and water to a small saucepan or skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until coconut oil and chocolates are melted. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
  3. Combine oats, coconut, wheat germ, brown sugar, fruit, pecans, walnuts and salt in a large bowl.
  4. Pour melted chocolate mixture over dry ingredients. Stir to combine (will look slightly moistened).
  5. Divide mixture in half and spread evenly on baking sheets.
  6. Bake for 60 minutes (1 hour), stirring mixture and rotating pans every 20 minutes during baking.
  7. Cool granola completely in the pans. Once cooled, stir in remaining 2 cups chocolates. Store in an airtight container.

Recipe Notes

A recipe for homemade crunchy granola made with oats, coconut, wheat germ, nuts, dried fruits, and chocolate covered candies.

 

Recipe adapted from Southern Living 1984 Annual Recipes cookbook (out of print).

Freund Container & Supply has been helping build businesses since 1938 as the largest distributor of glass bottles, containers and wholesale packaging supplies online. Freund offers over 5,000 items in stock every day, 98% same day shipping and low-price guarantees. Take a look at Freund’s wide selection of jars, tins, bottles and vials for all your crafting and food related needs!

Disclosure: I received a case of jars for making this project from Freund Container at no charge. I was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own unless otherwise stated or contained within a guest post.

Recipe Rating




Abi

Sunday 16th of November 2014

Do you think it would work to make these with Reese's pieces? Or if I just added peanut butter into the chocolate mixture?

Renee

Monday 17th of November 2014

It may work with Reese's pieces or a little peanut butter. I haven't tried it but it sounds like something to try.

Megan

Thursday 12th of December 2013

I've been looking for a wooden spoon for just this exact gift for all my girlfriends this season. Where did you find this spoon?! (and I love the M&M idea.)

Renee

Friday 13th of December 2013

That wooden spoon was actually given to me years ago so I have no idea where it was purchased. I would look at craft fairs or stores like HomeGoods or Marshalls. I've seen wooden spoons there before.

Susan

Monday 25th of November 2013

You got me with the candy in the granola! I certainly wouldn't mind a little of it with my morning yogurt.

Renee

Tuesday 26th of November 2013

A little chocolate does wonders even in granola. What a way to start a day.

Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes

Monday 25th of November 2013

The addition of colored m&m's is perfect for gift giving Renee! I make lists of homemade gifts to give every year, but they never materialize, lol! Will this be different? Let's hope so.

Renee

Tuesday 26th of November 2013

Hopefully you will have time to do homemade gifts this year. It's been busy for you lately with your jobs and blogs and more.

Marnee

Sunday 24th of November 2013

I would pick the mason jars and fill them with cookie mix or homemade jams. Both would make quick and easy gifts. Thanks for sharing your granola recipe.

Renee

Tuesday 26th of November 2013

Cookie mixes and homemade jams are great gifts.