I make granola all year round since my husband likes to eat it with yogurt and fruit for lunch. In the fall and winter I make it hearty and earthy with lots of nuts and seeds, wheat germ and spices. This one is a light and summery: just the crunchy oats, coconut and almonds. Cherries pair well with the almond and coconut flavors, so I added dried tart cherries to the granola after it baked, and topped a yogurt granola parfait with fresh fruit.
Toasted Coconut Almond Granola with Cherries
oven to 350
3 cups old fashioned oats
- Put the oats in a large mixing bowl.
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp almond extract
- Heat the coconut oil in a glass measuring cup briefly in the microwave just to melt, it will only take a few seconds. Stir in the honey and almond extract.
- Drizzle onto the oats, stirring and turning the oats constantly to evenly coat them.
1/2 cup shredded coconut, preferably unsweetened
1 cup sliced almonds
- Stir in the coconut and the almonds. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent burning.
1 cup dried tart cherries
- After the granola comes out of the oven, stir in the cherries, and allow it to cool on the pan.
- Transfer to an airtight jar.
Today I made another great inexpensive kitchen gadget discovery...the cherry pitter. I bought this a while back but this was my first time using it. It's amazing, the pits just popped right out with one squeeze, and the most amazing thing is that the cherries are left intact. This is perfect for those cherry desserts where you want the look of whole cherries. I linked to the exact one I got, because it works so well. (I'm definitely NOT being bribed to say this!)
There are a whole bunch of cherry dishes I've been meaning to make, so I'm happy to make this discovery early in the season. Do this inside a bowl, though, my first few pits flew clear into the dining room!
Top some Greek yogurt with the granola and a handful of fresh cherries for breakfast.
Now for the GIVEAWAY!
I'm going to send one lucky reader a
Tortilla Press
AND A
Cherry Stoner....
these tools will rock your kitchen, I promise.
What do you have to do?
just become a follower,
or a facebook fan
(just click on join this site
or the facebook like box
in the upper right of this blog)
Do both and you'll have double the chance to win!
That's all you have to do.
You'll be automatically entered to win.
I'll announce the winner next Saturday.
Good luck!
Sue, I love the idea of a lighter verson of granola for summer. I've never made it before, but now I'm inspired to give it a try. Those cherries look amazing...can't wait until they come into season here!
ReplyDeleteLinda you can't believe the difference this pitter makes, I remember last spring I bought a bunch of cherries and tried to pit them with a knife...let's just say the result was a gory mess, it wasn't pretty!
DeleteI was just thinking how I need to get a cherry pitter! We have cherry trees out back and I am just about dying waiting for the fruits to come. Maybe I'll have to add some in a granola like this.
ReplyDeleteAmy if you have cherry trees you have to get one of these. Actually you probably need the bulk-pitter I read about, not sure how that one works, but it sounds pretty intense. I'm so jealous of your trees.
DeleteI'm so this for this tortilla press! I just showed your press to hubs, we make them very Friday and Saturday night and they are a mess! Already following.
ReplyDeleteYou make your own tortillas? And you are always claiming that you aren't a cook! You'll like the press, it's completely mess-free.
Deletei follow you via RSS in google reader
ReplyDeletei liked you in facebook
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy!
Deletei already was and will continue to be a facebook fan!
ReplyDeleteyou're in my google reader for good. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm in yours, too Grace---don't know what I'd do without all your gorgeous cupcakes to cheer me up every day ;)
Deletewow I am always a fan of homemade granola, but this looks especially tempting with toasted coconut.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely gorgeous, Sue. I've been staring at that first photo for like 10 minutes! I've had my cherry pitter for about 15 years now...and I don't know what I'd do without it! Since cherry pies and cherry tarts and pretty much anything cherry is my favorite... Don't enter me for the giveaway since I have both a pitter and a press, but fabulous goods for the winner! =)
ReplyDeleteYou are totally going to laugh at me tomorrow. I'm right with you on the cherry pitter line of thought. This granola looks awesome. I've made granola several times, but I am loving the simplicity of this version. I'm going to try it soon. Thanks, Sue!
ReplyDeleteYour granola looks amazing with those juicy cherries!
ReplyDeleteI love cherries. Gorgeous recipe and great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to "pie cherry" season here in Oregon and could certainly use the pitter! I've followed you on my Google Home Page even though I also get your emailed blog notice. Always enjoy your posts!
ReplyDeletefergusonvicki2200@gmail.com
Very nice granola! It looks absolutely delicious!
ReplyDeleteHave been an avid follower for ages. Looking forward to your cherry pie recipes.
ReplyDeleteIn my Google reader RSS feed and like you on Facebook. :) Can't wait to try this recipe and the jams!
ReplyDeletei really should make my own granola...
ReplyDeleteO.K., the cherry pitter looks really cool. That must make using cherries a lot tidier. I always make a mess. The granola looks so delicious. This is my daughters idea of a perfect dessert...when we go on vacation...this is her decadent breakfast choice!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower AND a Facebook Fan. :) I have always wondered if those cherry pitters "really" worked. I'd love to win this give away. I've been "dying" for a tortilla press and would love this pitter.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great giveaway, Sue! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOf course I am a follower!
BTW, my sister always makes a cherry clafouti that is to die for.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue! I am already a follower but did not know you had a Facebook account so I will link up there as well. I already have a cherry pitter but do not have a tortilla press. I saw your recent post on homemade tortillas and I was going to go out and purchase one (but will wait to see if I win the giveaway first). We make so many tacos and quesadillas that I would love to make homemade tortillas to serve them up on. I think my kids would enjoy making them with me as well.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend! Were flying to PA tomorrow!
Jackie
I'd love to have either of those tools! And I'm in the middle of trying to find a good granola recipe so this is great!
ReplyDeletenice giveaway! im a new gfc follower (memoma)
ReplyDeleteyour recipe looks great - now i want some cherries
mermont84 at yahoo.com
i like you on fb too
ReplyDeletemermont84 at yahoo.com
The granola looks delicious and easy - thanks for the recipe!! Also thank you for the giveaway, I'm throwing my name in the hat. I am already a follower!
ReplyDelete-Louise
stylishchemist at gmail dot com
Oh Sue I go out of town a few days and look what you did! This is beautiful. I am now a follower and can't believe I wasn't already :) Be sure to stop by and enter my giveaway sometime this week :)
ReplyDeleteI liked you on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI have made granolas before but not with coconut; this version looks so appealing, and the presentation is irresistible
ReplyDeleteWhat a great give away.I'm off to like you on facebook. The granola looks delicious as well. I liked that you used coconut oil.
ReplyDeletelove granola and love cherries - yummmmmmy.
ReplyDeletejust became a follower.
fruitcrmble AT comcast DOT net
I follow. Great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteshankyouverymuch11 at yahoo dot com
Love cooking with coconut oil! Great ingredient combo for granola!
ReplyDeleteSue, I am very excited to see the cherry pitter and the tortilla press in the small pies post you did earlier! I know i am going to enjoying using them. thanks so much for this fun give away -- I am excited to be your winner! :0)
ReplyDelete