As I stated in the blog entry about the ginger snaps, I've really been loving the flavors of gingerbread this holiday season.  So when I decided to make some granola to give to friends and family members, I decided a gingerbread flavored granola sounded yummy!

While to base of the granola was baking in the oven, I was on the phone with my mom.  I asked her what add ins I could use that would be yummy with the gingerbread flavor.  It was decided that pecans or walnuts would be yummy and cranberries or even raisins would also be yummy!  I ended up putting pecans and cranberries.  You could even put chocolate chips for a chocolate gingerbread flavor.

Gingerbread Granola

Stars of the recipe:

• 2 c. oatmeal (I used quick oats.)


• 1 Tbsp. cinammon


• pinch of cloves


• 2 tsp. ground ginger


• 2 Tbsp. molasses (Spray measuring spoon with cooking spray before measuring.)


• 1/4 c. honey (Spray measuring cup with cooking spray before measuring.)


• 2 Tbsp. coconut oil


• 1/4  - 1/2 c. raisins or dried cranberries (I used cranberries.)


• 1/4 - 1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (I used pecans.)


• Optional:  1/4 c. chocolate chips

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.


2. In a medium measuring bowl, combine oatmeal and spices.


3. In a small bowl, place coconut oil.  Melt in microwave for 1 minute.


4. Add the molasses and honey to the coconut oil.


5. Pour over the oatmeal and spices.  Stir until all of the oatmeal is combined.


6. Place on cooking sheet in a thin layer.


7. Bake for 8 minutes.  Remove from over and stir.  Place back into oven.


8. Bake for an additional 8 minutes.  Take out of the oven.


9. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before adding the raisins or cranberries and nuts.


10. Store in a air tight container.


11. Enjoy with yogurt or milk!

Ginger Snaps

This year I've been loving the flavors of gingerbread.  I love the taste of the mixture of molasses, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon.  So when I was going to bake some cookies for my husband for a cookie exchange, I decided to make some ginger snaps which have those flavors.  These ended up being delicious!!!!  :)  (Think I used enough exclamation points.)

Ginger Snaps

Jamie Cooks It Up

 

Stars of the recipe:

• 3/4 c. butter (room temperature)  - 1 and 1/2 sticks


• 1 c. sugar


• 1 egg


• 1/4 c. molasses (Spray measuring cup with cooking spray before adding the molasses.)


• pinch of cloves


• 2 1/2 tsp. ground ginger


• 1/2 tsp. salt


• 2 tsp. baking soda


• 1 tsp. cinnamon


• 2 - 1/2 c. flour (I used white whole wheat.)

Steps:

1. Preheat at 350 degrees.


2. Beat butter, sugar, and egg until nice and fluffy.


3. Add the molasses until incorporated.  (You might need to scrape down the sides of the bowl to assure you've gotten all of the molasses.)


4. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and spices.


5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter, sugar, egg, and molasses mixture.  Mix until completely combined.


6. Place 1 inch balls on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed down with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper.  Sprinkle the balls of cookie dough with granulated sugar.


7. Bake for 8 minutes or until you see the cracks on the top of the cookies.


8. Let cool for 2 minutes on cookie sheet and then move to wire rack.


9. Store in an airtight container.


10. Enjoy!!!