Dec
Chai Spiced Granola – healthy and easy holiday gift idea! Free Recipe
by Kristin Omdahl
Handmade holiday gifts are the BEST! I enjoy coming up with new ideas every year for the people on my list 🙂 Sometimes I repeat gifts, by popular demand, and sometimes I whip up new recipes. I have been wanting to learn how to make Chai tea at home and recently invested in all the dried spices needed to make it. SO worth it. I had extra chia spice left over and thought it would be a fun way to spice up homemade granola. I like to package it up in cello bags with a holiday bow. Makes a wonderful snack or hearty breakfast.
What you will need:
3 TBSP chai spice (see recipe below)
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups water
8 cups oatmeal
4 cups pecans
4 cups slivered almonds
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
2 cups dried fruits (I used golden raisins and dried cherries)
What to do:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Make chai spice (see below).
3. Make simple syrup: mix sugar and water together over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in chia spices , freshly grated ginger, and simmer for 2 more minutes.
4. Strain sugar syrup through strainer and set aside.
5. In large mixing bowl, add oatmeal, nuts and coconut. Drizzle spiced sugar syrup and mix everything together.
6. Transfer granola to baking sheet and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.
7. Let cool completely before mixing in the dried fruit. Break up any large clumps.
8. Transfer to gift bags.
Enjoy!
Click here for more of Kristin’s free recipes!
HOW TO MAKE CHAI SPICE:
What you will need:
1 TBSP black pepper
3 sticks cinnamon
2 TBSP dried ginger
2 star anise
3 cloves
5 green cardamon pods
What to do:
1. Pulse all ingredients in blender or food processor until coarsely ground. Could also be made in mortar and pestle.
Steep in black tea for chai spiced tea or steep in any liquid to add chai seasoning to any baked goods. Just be sure to strain after steeping. The spices will scent the liquid and the bits should be discarded. This is very strong and spicy. Start with 1/2 tsp for making tea and increase as desired.
