Christmas Granola -- a favorite kitchen gift

  

Above, you see a pretty wooden tray I received in a gift swap earlier this month.  It made a perfect repository for some completed kitchen gifts -- in this case a canister and two jars of Christmas granola.  This is basically just my regular granola recipe with pistachio kernels and dried cranberries added in.  I have tweaked this recipe in a major way over the years.

CHRISTMAS  GRANOLA

4 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup sliced almonds
Cinnamon to taste
Nutmeg to taste
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
2 tsp. vanilla
 

Pistachio kernels to taste
Dried cranberries to taste

Preheat oven to 300º. In a large bowl, combine the oats, coconut, seeds, nuts, and spices.

In another bowl or a large measuring cup, combine the melted butter, maple syrup or honey, and vanilla and mix well. Pour over the dry mixture and stir to combine thoroughly.

Transfer the mixture to a greased 13x9-inch pan and bake at 300º for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Remove from oven; stir in pistachio kernels and dried cranberries, and let cool before storing. 

For everyday use, I would store granola either in a plastic bag inside a recycled oatmeal canister, or in a large plastic container intended for cereal storage.

However for gifting at Christmas time, I would use either quart mason jars or a Christmasy canister or tin.  The adorable canister at top was a deal at Ocean State Job Lot for $2.50.  The quart jars were actually being returned to the recipient, who had given us maple syrup in them.