Friday, January 15, 2010

Vanilla-Scented Granola

Vanilla-Scented Granola

Making granola is literally one of the easiest tasks to do in the kitchen, and yet I hardly ever do it. I got a lovely reminder after visiting some food porn last week. This has been great to munch on all week sprinkled over honey sweetened Greek yogurt and keeps me full so I don't snack too much between meals. I made about half of the amount called for in the original recipe, but this keeps so well I am going to make the full amount next time because it's already time to make another batch! Now I just need to find a big enough container for all the Greek yogurt I am going through and I will no longer have to haul my breakfast with me every day to work!


I'm so happy it's the weekend and a long one at that! What are your plans? I will be attending many cool events that I am super excited about. Hope to have pics and stories up soon. Have a good one!!


Vanilla-Scented Granola
(Adapted from Bon Appetit, March 2002)



Makes 2 cups

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup golden brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Position rack in middle of oven and preheat to 300 degrees. Lightly spray large baking sheet with nonstick spray. Mix the oats, almonds, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon in large bowl. Combine oil, honey, and sugar in small saucepan; bring to simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour hot liquid over oat mixture; stir well. Using hands, toss mixture until thoroughly mixed.

Spread granola on prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Transfer sheet to rack; cool granola completely. (Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.)

Printable Recipe

Stumble Upon Toolbar

27 comments:

Erica said...

Love making homemade granola! So much cheaper than buying it at the store!! And just as delicious. Plus you can always mix it up a bit with different ingredients. Enjoy your weekend- I wish mine was a long weekend :(

Miss Meat and Potatoes said...

Gorgeous! Although if I lived in LA, I would have a hard time not buying it from Urth Cafe. I've tried many times to copy it to no avail:(

Sippity Sup said...

I miss granola, ever since I broke my jaw this summer I have found chewing it difficult... so thanks for the fantasy. Ah someday I will eat granola again. GREG

Jenn said...

I love granola and yet I wonder why I haven't made it myself. It's been definitely on my list. I need make it soon and very soon.

Diana said...

This might have to be one of the first recipes I tackle in the new apartment!

Lo said...

I think homemade granola is one of the most underrated things in the world. Especially when paired with Greek yogurt.

Have a great long weekend!

vanillasugarblog said...

and I bet the house smelled good too.
Esi, can you believe it, I am packing. I am leaving the money pit and moving into my own home in 2 weeks. I hate packing, but I love it now.
have a good weekend girl. I wish we had your weather. although today was a heatwave of 40 degrees.

Karen said...

Granola is ridiculously expensive in the store. Great idea to make your own - I'm sure it's delicious with your yogurt!

Steph said...

That looks delicious! I'm obsessed with granola, but never make it because its too addicting

Fresh Local and Best said...

I'll have to try this granola mix, the idea of vanilla infused in crunchy nibbles is sensational.

Anonymous said...

That's a great picture! The pomegranate arils look like little rubies :)

Anonymous said...

Made this granola this morning. I baked it for 24 minutes as it was turning golden brown too soon. As it was cooling, I couldn't keep my hands off the granola because it looked and smelled so good. Yes, the house has a nice aroma as it was baking. Some granola recipes are very complex with their list of ingredients, but his recipe is so simple and so declicious. I agree that I will have to make a double batch the next time I make this again because it is that good (my son will love this with yogurt). I did add double the cinnamon becaus I love cinnamon and it was not overpowering. The granola has a nice crunch which I love. I would say this is better than store bought. Thanks for posting this recipe.

Mari @ Once Upon a Plate said...

Esi, that is the most beautiful granola I have ever seen. You always capture your food so perfectly in such an appealing way.
Nice job!!

I can't wait to try this granola version. Vanilla must be the perfume of the heavens ~it smells so luscious!

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend. xo

Anonymous said...

I've started making granola as well! And it was so good that I'm kind of mad I haven't been making it all these years.
I also eat mine with Greek yogurt, sweetened with agave instead of honey. I've been adding in dried cherries lately, but today I'm adding dried cranberries and some toasted coconut.

Esi said...

As always, you all manage to make my little recipe so special and loved.

Erica, sorry you don't get a long weekend :( Have a good one nonetheless

Miss Meat, I love Urth Cafe. May have to go back and test their granola to see if I can replicate it.

Greg, I hope you get proper use of your jaw back so you can have granola again.

Diana, hope the move is going well!

Lo, thanks!! Hope you have a great weekend as well.

Karen, yes, this is a very inexpensive recipe especially if you already keep these ingredients on hand like I do.

Steph, I think it's ok to OD on your own homemade granola. Especially since you can control what goes in it.

Anon, so glad it worked for you and I like the idea of doubling the cinnamon. I am a cinnamon-a-holic. haha.

Functional, I alternate between agave and honey for my Greek yogurt. I have both at home, but only honey at work which is where I usually eat my breakfast.

Maria said...

I make a similar granola. You can't top homemade.

Samantha Kate said...

I love my granola simple and slightly sweet. This is the perfect recipe for me. Oh, and I bet the vanilla does wonders.

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

This post reminds me that I'll have to start making my own granola. Love yours.

Kerstin said...

I really need to get around to making my own granola too - yours looks fabulous!

alyssumm said...

This is the standby granola recipe I've been using for years! It's perfect!

Rosie said...

What are "old-fashioned oats"? They look like ordinary rolled oats to me. Is that what you say in America when you mean oats that aren't instant oats?

Esi said...

Rosie, go with whatever you have, but not instant.

Lori (All That Splatters) said...

I made this today, adding some chopped dried apricots and dried cranberries to the baked granola. It's delicious! I'll be making this often.

I submitted this for Saturday Blog Showcase on my blog. Come check it out!! :D

Anonymous said...

My family loves this granola; my mom requested that I make it again! Thanks for the recipe.

Esi said...

Lori and Alisha, so great to hear you liked it!! :)

Unknown said...

I love your granola. I tried it with yogurt and it was great. Vanilla great idea! Thanks

FYI. You have a link to events at the old lafreebee site. The new website is lafreebeee.com with 3 "e"s. The link that you have no longer works, the new address for the same page would be with and extra "e" http://lafreebeee.com/free-lacma-mlk-day/

Thanks again for the Granola Recipe.

Barbra said...

Just so I am sure, the white sugar goes in the saucepan, but the brown sugar goes in the dry mix, is that correct?