Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Coconut-berry granola goodness!


The dudes LOVE Halloween.
It is their favorite holiday -- and
yes, they love it even more than
Christmas. Why? Well, there's the
costume thing for one. The what-will-
I-be-this-year debate starts in early
August and goes on through September
when we finally committ to our
costume. Then there's the whole free
candy thing. Yeah, what's not to love?
Um, the dental bill comes to mind.

I try to help out by eating the odd Mounds
or Snickers out of their bags when they're
not looking, but truly, the only way to
really help and to save myself some hefty
dental bills is to offer a yummy alternative.


Coconut-berry granola:


Ingredients
8 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup oat bran
1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
3/4 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup honey
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1 cup dried cranberries and blueberries
(mixed together) or raisins work
equally as well

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, oat bran, coconut and almonds. Spread on a large cookie sheet in an even layer (2 cookie sheets may be necessary). Bake for 8 minutes until lightly toasted. Allow to cool for a few minutes then put it back in the large bowl. While the oats are toasting, combine the coconut milk, coconut oil and honey in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until it comes to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in the coconut extract. Pour the syrup over the granola in the bowl and stir until fully coated. Spread evenly on the cookie sheet again and bake for another 10-12 minutes. Cool on the cookie sheet then mix in the dried cranberries and blueberries. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Yum!!!

And now for today's prize...

A cute Halloween cupcake bag,
skull cupcake liners, Halloween
cupcake toppers that are
also bookmarks (appropriate,
yes?) in the shapes of ghosts,
witches, etc, and Halloween
Quins (flat sprinkles) in the
shapes of pumpkins and bats.

Just leave a comment to win
today's prize! The winner will
be announced at the end of the
day! Good luck and a treat
filled Halloween!

Jenn McKinlay

22 comments:

  1. Cupcake-a-looza! Love the prize...and the recipe. Granola is a brilliant way to combat the empty calorie overload in store for all at the end of the month. Have to ask...so who (or what) are your dudes going to be this year?! :)

    ~ Cleo
    Coffeehouse Mystery.com
    Cleo Coyle on Twitter

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  2. My 4 year old son is SO excited about Halloween this year. He decided he wanted to be a pirate ... and then (after I got the costume, of course) he decided he wants to be a zombie.

    Pirate Zombie it will be!!!

    Yeah, he watches too much Scooby Doo :)

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  3. all those prizes gives me the urge to make some cupcakes... maybe some chocolate cupcakes..and an orange color frosting.. :)

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  4. LOve the recipe for granola. Sounds Yummy. The decorations are adorbable. I love Halloween.

    Texasjayne@aol.com

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  5. The thing is that Halloween is rapidly followed by Christmas, then Valentine's Day, then Easter! Lots of chocolate in the house! :) You're smart to offer an alternative...and I love the berries in this recipe!

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  6. I love the coconut milk in this recipe... should add that extra touch. But no nuts?

    A keeper, thanks

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  7. Love this recipe thanks for sharing the coconut milk adds a great touch to it. Ethan is going as the character of Scream, Logan is going as a Ninja and my 1 year old for his first Halloween will be a Lion. I am looking forward to taking him.

    The World of Book Reviews

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  8. I make my own granola as well, but I like to add sugar free English Toffee coffee flavoring for that sweet touch without the sugar. I also add quinoa flakes (I buy them at the local health food store) for a great protein boost as well as almonds and pecans (what can I say, I love my granola). And I add dried cherries, not cranberries, with the dried blueberries. I can attest that it is mighty tasty as a snack as well as a topping on Greek yogurt, which is what I am eating for breakfast right now! Nurse JudyMac

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  9. You guys.
    I always find myself adding things to my grocery list when I stop by here.
    I've never made my own granola, but plan on doing so now - this sounds delish.
    LOVE the coconut oil, coconut milk & honey combination!

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  10. It's funny, my kids have inherited my discriminating candy tastes. After every candy-giving holiday the kids come home with bags full of treats and I empty out their stash that was still left from the previous holiday!

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  11. Sounds great except I'm not a coconut fan, but I might have to give this a try. It beats trying to resist the temptation of drowning in chocolate.

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  12. What a fun recipe, and great prize! Wish I could win!

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  13. Thanks for posting a yummy recipe that looks great to try.

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  14. We just spooked out our house -- cobwebs, skulls with flashing eyes, etc. The dudes would like to buy some coffins, but I had to draw a line...you know?
    The dudes will be a Ninja and Yoshi (dragon from
    Mario Bros game) and they can't wait. They've already started mapping their route through the 'hood.
    Dave, 3/4 cup chopped almonds! I am a NUT for granola;-)

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  15. Halloween is so much fun! Granola makes a great snack, especially when you put your own favorites into it, and I love the coconutty aspect of this one. Thanks, Jenn!

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  16. oooh, that granola sounds wonderful; i'm going to see if i can come up with a gluten free version.

    carys

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  17. That granola sounds SO GOOD! Thank you!! =) I am off to determine the calorie and carb content of this!

    Happy Halloween!!

    Janece S.

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  18. We love granola, and this sounds great. Thanks, Jenn!

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  19. Oh, Jenn, this takes me back. My mother made such great granola. Nothing store bought ever came close. She didn't have all those berries in it, though. They would add such a wonderful chewy burst of sweetness!

    ~ Krista

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  20. Granola sounds great - and the bag is adorable.

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  21. Cute prize. Sorry I forgot to sign up for it.

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