Friday, January 7, 2011

Our Favorite Granola Recipes


I recently tried a new recipe for granola and it turned out badly, although I followed the directions exactly, so I've decided that I'm going to stick with my tried-and-true recipes, both of which I got from the Hillbilly Housewife website years ago. Each recipe makes enough for a small family so if you have lots of people at your house that love granola as much as we do you could double these recipes and make them in two pans instead of one. I like that these recipes are very simple ones, too, with no special or expensive ingredients.

Granola is delicious with milk poured over it for breakfast or with a dollop of yogurt on top. Either way it is very filling and will stay with you all morning. It's also a nice alternative to hot oatmeal in the morning. And, I promise that these recipes are so much better than anything you could get from the store :)

Peanut Butter Granola

2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/3 cup natural peanut butter (you can use regular peanut butter, too)
1/3 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon vanila
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups rolled oats (quick oats work, too)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Begin by melting the butter and peanut butter together in a large saucepan. Add the honey, vanilla, and salt. Stir the mixture until it is smooth and hot throughout. It doesn't need to boil. Add the oats and stir until they are completely coated. It will be chunky. TUrn the mixture out onto a cookie sheet or a 9 x 13-inch pan. Spread the granola out evenly and bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Add the raisins and mix together. Cool in the pan or on wax paper and transfer to a sealed container or large baggie.

Honey Granola

3 cups oats
1/2 cup butter or margarine (1 stick)
1/2 cup honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup each nuts and dried fruit (optional)

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the honey and salt. When nicely combined and melted together, add the oats and mix together until the oats are coated. Turn the mixture onto a cookie sheet or 9 x 13-inch pan. Spread the granola out evenly and bake at 375 for 10 minutes. It should be a nice golden brown. Allow it to cool in the pan and then add the nuts and fruit if using. Store in a sealed container or large baggie.
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6 comments:

Mom said...

Now you know I think you're the best cook ever, but you really need to add cinnamon to your granola. Besides tasting good it's the new good for you spice. If I have nuts I always add them too. Love ya, Mom

Anonymous said...

That peanut butter granola sounds wonderful! I'm going to have to give that one a try for sure!

DarcyLee said...

Mom-We love to add cinnamon and nuts, too.

DarcyLee said...

Catberner-thanks for visiting! I hope you do try the granola. It's so good.

Erin said...

This is definitely in my "must try" folder in my kitchen...it doesn't look to complicated and doesn't have things it in I don't like.

DarcyLee said...

Erin-Yes, these are very basic but you could also experiment and add other things like nuts, spices, dried fruit, coconut. However, I truly love the honey granola the best :)