December 8, 2011

As much as I love giving cookies, candy, and bread as holiday gifts, it's fun to do something a little different.  And homemade granola makes for a delicious, non-cookie holiday gift! This sweet, cinnamon-scented recipe takes minutes to make. (Perfect for last minute gifts.)

For me, good granola doesn't have a dominant flavor-- it doesn't holler, "oats!" or "raisins!" or "cinnamon." Rather I like my granola flavors to work together. And this recipe does just that! One of my favorite things about the recipe (If I do say so) is the use of ground almonds instead of whole almonds. While there is no problem with almonds sprinkled here and there throughout granola, I wanted a more pronounced almond flavor. Ground almond flour does just this, bringing a subtle almond flavor to each bite of granola.

Gluten-Free Granola

Modify this recipe to fit your taste or the taste of your gif recipient. Use honey in place of the maple syrup, add additional nuts (or omit them) or use different dried fruits along with the raisins.

3 cups gluten-free oats
2/3 cup almond flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup raisins, optional

1. Preheat oven to 300°F;. In large bowl, combine oats, almond flour, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Toss to combine. Add the oil. Stir with a wooden spoon to coat.
2. In a small bowl, combine maple syrup and brown sugar. Pour over oat mixture. Stir to coat thoroughly.
3. Divide granola evenly between two large baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, tossing every ten minutes on the baking sheet.
4. Allow granola to cool. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in raisins.