Cranberry Pecan Sunrise Granola
Kickstart your day with this wholesome and delicious Cranberry Pecan Sunrise Granola! A perfect blend of rolled oats, crunchy pecans, and sweet dried fruits, this recipe is packed with nutrients and flavor. Each bite is complemented by a hint of orange zest, nutmeg, and a drizzle of pure maple syrup and honey, offering a delightful crunch that’s perfect for breakfast or a nutritious snack on-the-go. Made with all-natural ingredients, this granola can easily fit into your busy lifestyle, making your mornings not just good, but great! Enjoy it with yogurt, milk, or simply by the handful as a satisfying snack. Plus, it stores beautifully for weeks, ensuring you always have a healthy option at hand.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Rolled oats & grain mix
12 cups (Combine with other dry ingredients.)
Cracked wheat
2 cups (Combine with other dry ingredients.)
Whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups (Combine with other dry ingredients.)
Golden flax seed
1/2 cup (Combine with other dry ingredients.)
Ground flax seeds
1/2 cup (Combine with other dry ingredients.)
Dried cranberries
5 cups (Combine with other dry ingredients.)
Pecans, roughly chopped
3 cups (Combine with other dry ingredients.)
Golden raisins
2 3/4 cups (Combine with other dry ingredients.)
Unsalted sunflower seeds
2 cups (Combine with other dry ingredients.)
Fresh orange juice
1 cup (Combine with dried orange peel.)
Pure maple syrup
1 1/2 cups (Add to wet mixture.)
Pure honey
1 1/2 cups (Add to wet mixture.)
Vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups (Add to wet mixture.)
Dried orange peel
3 tablespoons (Combine with orange juice.)
Nutmeg
2 teaspoons (Add to wet mixture.)
Orange extract
1 teaspoon (Add to wet mixture.)
Kosher salt
1 teaspoon (Add to wet mixture.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). If using a large turkey roaster, ensure it's clean and ready for mixing.
2
In a large glass mixing bowl, combine the fresh orange juice and dried orange peel. Stir well and set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
3
In the turkey roaster, combine the rolled oats, cracked wheat, whole wheat flour, golden flax seed, ground flax seeds, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, golden raisins, and unsalted sunflower seeds. Use your hands to mix well, ensuring the fruits are separated and coated evenly with the dry ingredients. This helps prevent clumping and ensures even distribution of flavors.
4
Return to the glass bowl with the wet ingredients. Add the maple syrup, honey, vegetable oil, nutmeg, orange extract, and kosher salt. Using a wire whisk, beat the mixture until fully emulsified. It should take on a cloudy appearance.
5
Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients in the roaster. Using a large metal spoon, stir thoroughly for at least 5 minutes to ensure an even coating.
6
Divide the mixture evenly between 5-6 glass or metal baking pans, keeping the height of the mixture less than 1 inch to promote even baking.
7
Place the pans in the center of the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour. Stir the granola every 15 minutes to ensure even browning and prevent burning.
8
Once baked, remove from the oven and stir lightly once more. Allow the granola to cool completely in the pans; it will continue to crisp as it cools.
9
Store in airtight containers for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 4 weeks to maintain freshness.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cranberry Pecan Sunrise Granola?
It is a wholesome blend of rolled oats, cracked wheat, pecans, and dried fruits flavored with orange zest, nutmeg, maple syrup, and honey.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking this granola?
The oven should be preheated to 300°F (150°C).
What types of grains are included in the recipe?
The recipe includes 12 cups of rolled oats and grain mix, 2 cups of cracked wheat, and 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour.
Does this granola contain flax seeds?
Yes, it contains both 1/2 cup of golden flax seeds and 1/2 cup of ground flax seeds.
What dried fruits are used in this granola?
The recipe calls for 5 cups of dried cranberries and 2 3/4 cups of golden raisins.
Which nuts and seeds provide the crunch in this recipe?
Roughly chopped pecans (3 cups) and unsalted sunflower seeds (2 cups) provide the crunch.
How do I prepare the orange flavoring components?
Combine fresh orange juice with dried orange peel and let the flavors meld before mixing with other wet ingredients.
What sweeteners are used to bind the granola?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of pure maple syrup and 1 1/2 cups of pure honey.
What type of oil should I use?
The recipe specifies 1 1/2 cups of vegetable oil.
What spices give the granola its unique flavor?
Nutmeg, orange extract, and kosher salt are used to enhance the flavor profile.
How do I emulsify the wet ingredients?
Whisk the orange juice mixture, maple syrup, honey, oil, and spices until the mixture appears cloudy.
How should I mix the dry ingredients to prevent clumping?
Use your hands to mix the dry ingredients and fruits together, ensuring the fruits are separated and evenly coated with flour and grains.
How long should I stir the wet and dry ingredients together?
Stir the combined mixture thoroughly for at least 5 minutes using a large metal spoon to ensure an even coating.
How many pans are needed for baking?
The mixture should be divided evenly between 5 to 6 glass or metal baking pans.
How thick should the granola layer be in the baking pan?
Keep the height of the mixture less than 1 inch to promote even baking.
How long does the granola need to bake?
The granola should bake for a total of 1 hour.
How often should I stir the granola during the baking process?
Stir the granola every 15 minutes to ensure even browning and to prevent it from burning.
When does the granola become crispy?
The granola will continue to crisp as it cools completely in the pans after being removed from the oven.
How should I store the finished granola?
Store the granola in airtight containers to maintain its freshness.
How long can I store the granola at room temperature?
It can be stored in airtight containers for up to 2 weeks.
Can I freeze the granola?
Yes, you can freeze the granola for up to 4 weeks to maintain its freshness.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is excellent for meal prep as it makes a large batch and stores beautifully for weeks.
What equipment is recommended for mixing the large batch?
A large turkey roaster is recommended for mixing the dry and wet ingredients effectively.
Is this granola vegan-friendly?
While tagged as vegan in some contexts, this specific recipe contains honey; to make it vegan, you would need to substitute the honey with more maple syrup or another plant-based sweetener.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 17 specific ingredients required for this granola.
What can I serve with this granola?
It is perfect with yogurt, milk, or enjoyed by itself as a nutritious snack.
Why is it important to mix the dry ingredients by hand first?
Mixing by hand helps separate the dried fruits and ensures they are coated with dry ingredients, which prevents them from clumping together.
Does this granola contain cholesterol?
Based on the ingredients listed (grains, nuts, seeds, oil, fruit, honey, and syrup), this recipe is naturally cholesterol-free.
What is the role of orange extract in the recipe?
Orange extract is used to provide a concentrated citrus flavor that complements the fresh orange juice and peel.
Can I use a different nut if I don't have pecans?
Yes, while pecans provide a specific flavor, you could substitute them with walnuts or almonds and still achieve a delicious result.