DIY HOLIDAY SPICE GRANOLA

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! If you’re as obsessed with the holidays as much as I am then you will appreciate this holiday spiced granola. Last year I attended an event for The Feed Feed and Vitamix and we were asked to develop a recipe using the Vitamix Holiday spice mix blend. So naturally, I decided to create a holiday themed granola because why not? This recipe is amazing and can make for a great DIY holiday gift!

This is a bulk recipe, so it’s going to make around 3 standard jars of granola which will last you some time. Don’t cut it down, because I promise it will be gone so quickly, you’ll wish you made more! It’s very easy, so yummy, and I bet you’ll never look at store-bought granola the same again!

This recipe is for my holiday version – the only difference is you can eliminate the ingredient holiday spice mix. Feel free to switch up the dried fruit with dried cranberries or my latest addition, dried sour cherries. Also, for a school-friendly version you can sub the almonds for pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.

Once your granola has fully cooled, you can package it into cute little bags or small jars, label with a gold sharpie and it makes for an amazing DIY holiday gift! Last year I gave them out to colleagues and my kids teachers and they loved it! This year I don’t think I will have time to make gifts myself (I will be buying something), but it was definitely a fun idea and I would 100% do it again!

The smell in your house will be incredible! So incredible! If you planned on gifting the granola, you might change your mind after trying it and want to keep it all to yourself!

Note: this post is a modified version of my original granola recipe “cinnamon vanilla granola”. I created this one for the holidays by adding some holiday spices. I make the regular version all the time and the only difference is you omit the “holiday spice” and leave everything else as is! Enjoy!

Print Recipe
 DIY Holiday Spice Granola
Author: Samantha Goren, RD
Servings
large mason jars
Ingredients
  • 6 cups large flake rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup hemp hearts
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1.5 tsp Holiday Spice Mix: 1/4 tsp ground cloves + 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg + 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup (slightly more) canola oil
  • 1.5 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • *Eliminate holiday spice for regular granola
Servings
large mason jars
Ingredients
  • 6 cups large flake rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup hemp hearts
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1.5 tsp Holiday Spice Mix: 1/4 tsp ground cloves + 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg + 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup (slightly more) canola oil
  • 1.5 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • *Eliminate holiday spice for regular granola
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Combine in large bowl: oats, coconut, almonds, hemp hearts, cinnamon and salt.
  3. Combine in saucepan over low heat: brown sugar, honey and oil. Cook until smooth and melted. Remove from heat, let cool for a couple minutes and then add vanilla.
  4. Pour wet mixture over dry ingredients and stir well to combine.
  5. Add dried cranberries and mix again.
  6. Pour onto a rimmed cookie sheet, spread with spoon and bake for 20-25 minutes. Stir half way if you can.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
Recipe Notes

Store in airtight container (I use mason jars) for up to 2-3 weeks, opening 1 jar at a time. But it won't last that long!

If you are gifting the granola: package in bags or jars, label with a gold sharpie and your gifts are ready to go!