Holiday Cranberry Walnut Granola Delight
This festive Holiday Cranberry Walnut Granola Delight is the perfect blend of crunchy oats, sweet maple syrup, and tart cranberries. Made with egg whites for a lighter texture, it makes a delightful gift and a healthy snack option during the bustling holiday season. Bursting with flavor from warm spices and wholesome ingredients, it's a treat both kids and adults can enjoy. Packed with nutrients, this granola is ideal for breakfast, as a mid-day snack, or as a topping for yogurt during family gatherings. Prepare this granola in advance and share the joy of healthy eating with your loved ones!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Golden brown sugar
3/4 cup (packed)
Maple syrup
1/2 cup (pure)
Egg whites
1/4 cup (about 2 large eggs)
Vanilla extract
1 tablespoon (pure)
Maple extract
1 1/4 teaspoons (pure)
Cinnamon
1 1/4 teaspoons (ground)
Allspice
1 teaspoon (ground)
Old-fashioned oats
3 cups (uncooked)
Walnuts
1 cup (halved and broken)
Dried cranberries
1 cup (unsweetened or sweetened)
Cooking spray
as needed (for greasing the pan)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and position a rack in the bottom third of the oven.
2
Generously spray a large jelly roll pan with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3
In a heavy small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of golden brown sugar and maple syrup. Heat over low heat while stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Be sure to brush down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystallization.
4
Once the sugar syrup is ready, transfer it to a large mixing bowl and let it cool until it is lukewarm.
5
Whisk in the egg whites, vanilla extract, maple extract, cinnamon, and allspice into the cooled syrup until well blended.
6
Add the old-fashioned oats, broken walnut halves, and remaining 1/4 cup of golden brown sugar to the mixture. Stir well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
7
Spread the mixture in an even layer onto the prepared jelly roll pan.
8
Bake for 35 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even browning.
9
After 35 minutes, use a spatula to turn the granola over, ensuring that the underside browns evenly.
10
Bake the granola for an additional 10 minutes, then sprinkle the dried cranberries over the top and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the granola is completely dry and crisp.
11
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the granola to cool completely in the pan before transferring to an airtight container.
12
Enjoy your delicious homemade granola as a snack, breakfast cereal, or topping on yogurt!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Holiday Cranberry Walnut Granola Delight?
It is a festive blend of crunchy oats, sweet maple syrup, and tart cranberries, seasoned with warm spices and made with egg whites for a lighter texture.
What kind of oats are used in this recipe?
This recipe requires 3 cups of uncooked old-fashioned oats.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit or 160 degrees Celsius.
How should the baking pan be prepared?
Generously spray a large jelly roll pan with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the granola from sticking.
What type of sugar is used in this granola?
The recipe uses a total of 3/4 cup of packed golden brown sugar.
How can I prevent the sugar from crystallizing while heating?
Brush down the sides of the saucepan with a wet pastry brush while stirring the sugar and syrup mixture.
When should I add the egg whites to the mixture?
Whisk the egg whites into the sugar syrup only after it has cooled until it is lukewarm.
Why does this granola recipe include egg whites?
Egg whites are used to provide a lighter texture to the granola.
How much vanilla extract is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract.
What spices give this granola its festive flavor?
Ground cinnamon and ground allspice provide the warm holiday flavor profile.
How much ground allspice is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of ground allspice.
How should the walnuts be prepared?
One cup of walnuts should be halved and broken before being added to the oats.
What quantity of walnuts is required?
The recipe requires 1 cup of broken walnut halves.
How many dried cranberries should be added?
Add 1 cup of dried cranberries to the granola mix.
What type of dried cranberries can I use?
You can use either unsweetened or sweetened dried cranberries based on your preference.
How long is the initial baking period?
The granola initially bakes for 35 minutes.
Do I need to stir the granola while it bakes?
Yes, stir the granola halfway through the first 35 minutes to ensure even browning.
What should I do after the first 35 minutes of baking?
Use a spatula to turn the granola over to ensure the underside browns evenly.
How long do I bake the granola after turning it over?
Bake for an additional 10 minutes before adding the cranberries.
When are the dried cranberries added?
The dried cranberries are sprinkled over the top for the final 10 minutes of baking.
What is the final step before storing the granola?
Allow the granola to cool completely in the pan before transferring it to an airtight container.
How should the finished granola be stored?
Store it in an airtight container to maintain its crispness.
How can I serve this Holiday Granola?
It can be enjoyed as a snack, a breakfast cereal, or as a topping for yogurt.
Is this granola a healthy snack option?
Yes, it is packed with nutrients and wholesome ingredients like oats and walnuts.
Who can enjoy this holiday treat?
This granola is a treat that both kids and adults can enjoy.
Can I make this granola as a gift?
Yes, its festive flavors and texture make it a delightful gift for family and friends.
How many egg whites are needed?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of egg whites, which is roughly the equivalent of 2 large eggs.
How much maple extract is used?
The recipe uses 1 1/4 teaspoons of pure maple extract.
Where should the oven rack be positioned?
The oven rack should be positioned in the bottom third of the oven.
What is the expected final texture of the granola?
The granola should be completely dry and crisp once it has finished baking and cooling.