But First Coffee Granola {DIY Holiday Gift Everyone Will Love}

By: Lindsey | December 14, 2015

Coffee and granola, two morning staples wrapped into one simply delicious recipe that will make you wonder why you’ve never tried this combination before. Make a big batch for yourself or jar it up and tie it with a bow for the perfect DIY holiday gift everyone will love!

I love giving gifts. especially the kind of gift that is the star of the show when you play one of those stealing games. you know where everyone brings a $15 to $20 gift and then you shake dice or play some kind of ‘minute to win it’ game to pick presents which is followed by a round of stealing presents.

If your gift gets stolen at least once, consider it a success; but if your gift gets stolen three times you’ve officially made ‘elf-status’ as one of the best gift-givers around. those are the types of presents I strive to give.

But the thing is, I’m a bit of a time optimist. which means it’s the middle of December and I haven’t really even started my holiday shopping.

So instead of paying for first class shipping or frantically running around the crowded malls, i know I can always fall back on my DIY holiday granola. and this year I’ve added an extra special ingredient…coffee!

This simple and delicious recipe will have you wondering why you’ve never combined these two morning staples before. and once you give the gift of coffee granola, your giftees will never look at breakfast the same {you’ll have officially raised the bar of diy gift-giving}.

and it’s a gift you can feel good about giving because it’s refined-sugar free. so you can feel all warm and cozy inside knowing that you’re probably replacing the boxed granola in their pantry that’s loaded with questionable oils like canola and safflower {not to mention corn syrup and 10-15 grams of sugar, sugar and more sugar}.

and to make sure your granola is a real crowd-pleaser make it gluten-free. i like to use bob’s red mill gluten-free rolled oats or if i’m in a pinch you can save time and ingredients by using seven sunday’s muesli {which already has ingredients like oats, flax, honey and vanilla}.

so make a big batch for yourself or jar it up and tie it with a bow for the perfect diy holiday gift {pairs nicely with a gift card to your favorite coffee hangout and a cute mug if you’re feeling extra giving}.

coffee granola {diy holiday gift everyone will love}

author: lindsey, nourish move love
prep time: 10 minutes
cook time: 20 minutes
servings: 12-14 {1 serving is approximately 1/4 c}

ingredients:

3 c old fashioned rolled oats {or muesli, gluten-free if needed}
1 c raw, slivered almonds
1 c dried fruit {cherries}
1/2 c raw honey {or pure maple syrup if vegan}
1/4 c coarsely ground coffee beans
1-2 tbsp ground flax or 1 flax egg {1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp warm water}
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp coconut oil
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp sea salt
optional: 1/4-1/2 c dark chocolate chips {or cacao nibs}

directions:

preheat oven to 350.
line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
make flax egg if using and set aside to thicken {for approximately 5 minutes}. this will help bind the granola into clusters.
in a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients together. then add the flax egg and mix well until oats are evenly coated.
spread oat mixture onto lined baking sheet.
bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until oats are golden brown; stirring mixture in oven occasionally.
let cool and then jar up for diy holiday gifts.

*option to sub flax egg for 1 egg white to help bind granola into clusters.
**gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan options.