Homemade Crunchy Grape-Nuts Cereal
Kickstart your mornings with a delightful bowl of homemade Crunchy Grape-Nuts Cereal! This wholesome cereal is not only easy to make but also packed with nutrients and flavor. With a rich combination of whole wheat flour, brown sugar, and buttermilk, each bite offers a satisfying crunch that can be enjoyed on its own or topped with fresh fruits and milk. Perfect for those who want to control the ingredients in their breakfast and customize the flavor to suit their taste. This recipe yields a generous amount, making it easy to store and enjoy throughout the week. Feel free to halve the recipe if you prefer a smaller batch.
20
Servings
400
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
whole wheat flour
7 cups (Unbleached and sifted)
packed brown sugar
3 cups (Lightly packed)
baking soda
2 1/4 teaspoons (N/A)
salt
1 teaspoon (N/A)
buttermilk
2 1/2 cups (Room temperature)
butter
6 tablespoons (Melted)
vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (N/A)
maple flavoring
1/2 teaspoon (Optional)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Grease six 13x9x2-inch baking pans thoroughly to prevent sticking.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, packed brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix well until fully combined.
4
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and optional maple flavoring. Stir until just combined; do not overmix.
5
Evenly spread the batter into the prepared baking pans, ensuring a smooth surface.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is firm to the touch.
7
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Once cool, break the baked mixture into small pieces and transfer to a food processor.
8
Process until you achieve a desired small, crumb-like consistency.
9
Reduce the oven temperature to 250°F (120°C) and return the broken cereal pieces to the baking pans.
10
Bake for an additional hour, stirring every 15 minutes, until the cereal is light brown and crispy.
11
Once baked, cool completely before transferring to airtight containers for storage.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
75g
Carbs
10g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary ingredient in Homemade Crunchy Grape-Nuts Cereal?
The primary ingredient is 7 cups of unbleached and sifted whole wheat flour.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 20 servings.
What temperature should the oven be set to for the first bake?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) for the initial baking phase.
How many baking pans are required for this recipe?
You will need six 13x9x2-inch baking pans, thoroughly greased.
Is there a sweetener used in this cereal?
Yes, the recipe calls for 3 cups of lightly packed brown sugar.
What liquid ingredients are needed?
The liquid ingredients include 2 1/2 cups of room temperature buttermilk, 6 tablespoons of melted butter, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Is maple flavoring required?
No, the 1/2 teaspoon of maple flavoring is optional.
How long is the initial baking time?
The batter should bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is firm.
How do you achieve the small, crumb-like consistency of the cereal?
After the first bake and cooling slightly, break the mixture into pieces and process them in a food processor.
What is the oven temperature for the second bake?
Reduce the oven temperature to 250°F (120°C) for the second baking phase.
How long does the second bake take?
The cereal needs an additional hour in the oven at the lower temperature.
How often should the cereal be stirred during the second bake?
The cereal should be stirred every 15 minutes to ensure it dries evenly and becomes crispy.
How should Homemade Crunchy Grape-Nuts be stored?
Store the completely cooled cereal in airtight containers.
Can I make a smaller batch of this cereal?
Yes, you can easily halve the recipe if you prefer a smaller batch.
What are the nutritional values for one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calories, 10g of fat, 75g of carbohydrates, and 10g of protein.
Does this recipe contain salt and baking soda?
Yes, it uses 2 1/4 teaspoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of salt.
What is the texture of the finished cereal?
The finished cereal is light brown, crunchy, and has a crumb-like consistency.
Can this cereal be eaten as a snack?
Yes, it is tagged as both a breakfast item and a snack.
What serving suggestions are recommended?
It can be enjoyed on its own or topped with fresh fruits and milk.
Is this cereal considered a whole grain food?
Yes, it is made primarily with whole wheat flour and is tagged with 'whole grains'.
Are there any dietary variations for this recipe?
While the base recipe uses buttermilk and butter, it is tagged as having a 'vegan option' if suitable substitutes are used.
What should the consistency of the batter be before baking?
The batter should be stirred until just combined and then spread evenly into the pans.
Is the flour sifted before use?
Yes, the recipe specifies using unbleached and sifted whole wheat flour.
How much fat is in a single serving?
There are 10 grams of fat per serving.
How much protein is in a single serving?
There are 10 grams of protein per serving.
How much carbohydrate is in a single serving?
There are 75 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Should the butter be cold or melted?
The butter should be melted before being added to the dry ingredients.
What happens if you overmix the batter?
The instructions advise to stir until just combined and not to overmix to maintain the proper texture.
What color should the cereal be after the final bake?
The cereal should be light brown and crispy.
Is it necessary to cool the mixture before using the food processor?
Yes, the recipe recommends allowing the baked mixture to cool slightly before breaking it into pieces for the food processor.