They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and what better a way to break ones fast than a wholesome granola sprinkled over some fruit and natural yogurt? That’s one of my favourite breakfasts anyway, and my partner and children have both cottoned on as well. Shop bought granola is expensive and frankly, they’re a bit stingy on the good bits like the juicy raisins and whole nuts. I found what fruit and nuts that they did have were positioned at the top of the box, so by the time you get to the bottom it was slim pickings through the powdered remains. And have you looked at the sugar and fat content of most shop bought cereals? Truly shocking!
When I first started making this recipe a few years ago for my family I made it with only raisins, and then my local supermarket started stocking their own fantastic blend of dried berries and raisins including fruit-syrup sweetened cranberries, flame raisins, golden raisins and blueberries. Their fruit blend works really well in this granola, and gives it a juicy, flavoursome wow-factor.
Try this recipe. You’ll love it, honest. If you’re wanting it a little sweeter you could always serve it over some fruit compote or up the quantity of muscovado sugar. We think it’s just perfect as it is though.
The dregs (you know, the bits leftover once all the raisins and nuts are gone and you don’t really want to eat seedy oats for your breakfast) make a wicked apple crumble topping.
SWALLOW is a charity based in Somerset, and they help adults with learning disabilities lead more independent lives. The group meets every Wednesday and they introduce new simple and delicious recipes to their members that they can make on their own.
SWALLOW have been gathering recipe ideas via the Recipes for Life challenge hosted by Vanesther at Bangers & Mash for a cookery book they are publishing at the end of the year. Each month we’re given a theme of three easily obtainable ingredients to work with and this month those ingredients are oats, honey and berries.
As this is a very easy, tried and tested recipe including those three key ingredients I’ve re-blogged it with some better quality photographs and I am linking it up to the round-up at Bangers & Mash.
- 225 grams jumbo oats
- 2 tbsp linseeds
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 50 grams whole unsalted cashews
- 50 grams whole unsalted almonds
- 125 grams dried mixed berries & raisins
- 4 tbsp sunflower oil
- 2 tbsp clear honey
- 2 heaped tbsp dark muscovado sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 15 servings
This recipe has been included in Javelin Warrior’s Made with Love, Mondays recipe round up of from-scratch recipes.
I’ve also shared this post with the Alphabakes food blogging challenge co-hosted by Caroline of Caroline Makes and The More Than Occasional Baker. This month Caroline has challenged us to bake something involving the letter F, and this recipe involves dried fruit so it fits the bill perfectly!
Mum of three, daydream adventurer, OU Life Sciences graduate, occasional crafter, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly food blogger.
Sarah Bailey says
May 14, 2016 at 2:49 pmNow this sounds amazing – I have to admit I love adding fruit and nut to my cereals they add a lovely extra dimension. x
Andrew Petrie says
February 27, 2016 at 1:49 pm100% goodness and so unlike some healthy foods , visually appealing and mouthwatering !
Baking Addict says
August 3, 2013 at 9:19 pmBeautiful pictures! Love homemade granola especially with a bit of yoghurt. Thanks for entering AlphaBakes.
Caroline says
July 28, 2013 at 12:31 pmWell, they do say breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Thanks for sending this to Alphabakes.
Zoe says
July 18, 2013 at 4:26 amHi Elisabeth,
I’m always a big fan of homemade granola. Unlike the commercial ones, the homemades are usually filled with lots of fresh and favourite ingredients. Yours look fantastic with lots of nutty crunches!
Nice to know you via blogging. Love your quirky pose looking at your kitchen. Cool! 😀 I’m now your latest follower for your yummy food and wish to hear from you soon.
Zoe
bangermashchat says
July 17, 2013 at 7:54 pmYou’re absolutely right, shop-bought granola isn’t a patch on homemade, particularly as you can use heaps of all your favourite dried fruits and nuts. I’m a huge fan and yours looks so delicious. A great entry for July’s Recipes for Life – thanks for entering!
Elizabeth S says
July 17, 2013 at 9:39 pmThanks Vanesther 🙂 Or you can omit all the ones you don’t like! 😀
Angela Darroch says
July 17, 2013 at 2:51 pmI haven’t had granola in such a long time as I have always thought it overpriced. I do love it though. Looks good!!
Elizabeth S says
July 17, 2013 at 9:37 pmI love a good granola, but I detest dried papaya and dried banana, which I found were in a lot of them, so I started making my own. Much cheaper too.
Vicki Higham says
January 10, 2013 at 9:55 pmThis looks beautiful! If I woke up to that every morning I’d be a very happy lady! x
V from alifeofgeekery.blogpost.co.uk
Elizabeth says
January 10, 2013 at 9:58 pmThank you 🙂 It is a lovely breakfast cereal to wake up to! My children are hooked and this batch is nearly gone already!
Javelin Warrior says
January 7, 2013 at 2:46 pmLove this granola, Elizabeth. I’ve been working for quite some time on a granola recipe of my own b/c just as you say, the store-bought variety isn’t very wholesome at all. And not enough of the good parts 😉 I’m so glad you decided to share this recipe…
Elizabeth says
January 10, 2013 at 9:59 pmI’m glad you like it, and it’s always a pleasure to contribute to Made with Love Mondays 🙂