We’re all for Christmas cookies, but really, aren’t there enough of them out there? Surprise your loved ones with a batch of this gorgeous, wholesome granola instead. 
Keep in mind, this is still a high-calorie treat. A half-cup of this granola has the added sugar and calories of 2-3 sugar cookies. However, swapping white flour and butter for oats and walnuts boosts the nutrition: Healthier fats as well as more fibre, protein, and potassium.
Here are the nutrition facts for a 1/2 cup serving:
Enjoy!
Christmas Granola
A beautiful gift you can make in no time.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon
- 1 tsp (5 mL) ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp (2 mL) nutmeg
- 4 cups (1000 mL) old-fashioned large-flake oats
- 1 cup (250 mL) oat bran
- 1 cup (250 mL) chopped walnuts
- 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) maple syrup
- 1/3 cup (75 mL) canola oil
- 1 tsp (75 mL) almond extract
- 1 cup (250 mL) dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper (optional, but it helps with cleanup).
- In a small bowl, stir cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, mix oats with oat bran, walnuts, and salt.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, stir syrup with oil until warm, 2-3 minutes.
- Remove oil and syrup from heat. Stir in almond extract and spice mix.
- Pour over oat mixture. Stir to coat.
- Turn onto baking sheet, spreading out as evenly as you can. Bake until golden for about 20 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and stir in cranberries.
- Cool. Store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.
Notes
This recipe was adapted from Josee di Stasio's recipe on Chatelaine.com. Check out the original for variations.