Love Struck Granola

Happy Valentines day yall!

With all the baked goods, sugar and chocolate floating around, I wanted to make something sweet but also healthy for me and my sweetie.  So I took my staple granola recipe, and turned it into LOVE STRUCK GRANOLA!  Rawrrr.

This recipe is heart friendly, health friendly, and great if you’re sensitive to wheat or a vixen vegan.

I’ve been laying off the gluten lately, and while some who are gluten-free can’t do oats, I buy the wheat-free variety so I know it’s not processed in the same machines as wheat and wont upset my stomach. They cost a little bit more, but it’s worth avoiding tummy aches in my case.

This recipe involves working some magic with one of my favorite high antioxidant treats…maple syrup!!! I’m going to teach you a little trick on getting your oats perfectly caramelized so that it’s an extra special treat. This involves laying your oats out like so, adding your coconut oil, spices and maple syrup…

And then adding another splash of maple syrup after 10 minutes in the oven, before popping it in for another 10 minutes. This gives you crunchy, yummy, sexy pieces like this…

I dare you to keep your hands off those pieces. But I recommend you get your hands all over them. That’s what Valentines day is all about right?

This recipe also includes some very sexy ingredients to go with your oats: cacao nibs, cranberries and coconut! Healthy fats and antioxidants are great for a sexy body. You in the mood yet?

No matter what you eat, enjoy something delicious with the one you love, even if that’s yourself! Loving yourself is #1 in living a happy healthy lifestyle.

(I love myself enough to buy my own heart shaped hot water bottle!)

[box]Love Struck Granola

• 3 cups of Wheat-Free oats
• 1/4 cup Coconut oil
• 2 tsp Cacao powder
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tsp All spice
• Pink himalayan sea salt * to taste
• 1/4 cup + 3 tbsp of Maple syrup
• 1/2 cup Shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup Cranberries (or goji berries)
• 3 tbsp Cacao nibs

1. Preheat oven to 350F (you can cook slower at a lower heat if you prefer).
2. Line pan with silpat or parchment paper, then cover with oats.
3. Add coconut oil and spices and mix together.
4. Drizzle with 1/4 cup maple syrup.
5. Bake for 10 minutes and remove pan.
6. Drizzle with 3 tbsp more of maple syrup.
7. Bake for another 10 minutes.
8. Remove and let cool.
9. Sample. Sample again. It’s good isn’t it?
10. Mix together with dry ingredients and enjoy! Eat alone, with almond milk, or serve on top of waffles, pancakes or smoothies![/box]

What are you enjoying this Valentine’s Day?

Tagged as: cacao nibs, gluten-free, granola