Delicious Christmas Presents!

The countdown to Christmas has begun, I'm no where near done or started shopping. However, I do have lots of lists... so I guess that means I'm kind of organized?  Since I'm on a limited budget and because homemade presents always seem so much more personal I thought what better gift for friends and family than a batch of dark molasses cranberry granola??

1/2 cup honey

6 tablespoons maple syrup

6 tablespoons molasses

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup canola oil

4 cups rolled oats

2 cups sliced almonds

1 cup raw sunflower seeds

1-1/2 cups sweetened dried cranberries

1/4 cup diced crystallized ginger

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Grease 2 rimmed baking sheets.

Combine first 9 ingredients in a large bowl. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Add oats, almonds and sunflower seeds, tossing to combine.

 Divide mixture evenly between baking sheets and place in oven on two centermost racks. Bake 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes and rotating pans between racks. Remove from oven and toss with cranberries and crystallized ginger. Granola will dry as it cools. Once cool, store in an airtight bags or containers. Keeps for several weeks.

Makes about 10 cups

So good with yogurt or milk on a chilly winter morning, you can use some cute packaging and fancy it up with some ribbon and a personal note, and if you want to make it a more substantial gift maybe include a pretty set of cereal bowls...I love these ones from Anthropologie!

Xox

A~