Gluten & Dairy Free Eggnog Spice Granola
6 Dec
Last night I watched this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show online for nearing on the 5th time since it aired on November 29th. I can’t help it, it’s one of my favorite things about the holiday season! I wait all year for it, wondering what lingerie hybrids will come down the runway on impossibly thin, fit & toned, not to mention LUCKY models who get to call themselves angels. #SignMeUpForThat
Favorite outfit the of the night? As it happened, it was the outfit that opened the show during the Ballet Segment, and it only 35% had to do with the fact that it was worn by Candice. Probably going to have to sport some of those red ballet wrap pumps at some point in my life this season! Thoughts? Ya, they’re amazing.
Needless to say, since then I’ve been perusing the Victoria’s Secret Site for the Runway Ready Video features that have been popping up in my Facebook queue, forcing me to face the idea of forgoing holiday sweets in attempts to acquire something similar to the angels’ fit physiques.  Upon further investigation, I’ve discovered that much like sitting in the lobby of the gym rather than working out won’t get you in shape, watching girls with the hottest bodies on the planet over and over without working out will also probably not cut it. Unforch. About to step it up, big time!
Ironically, (especially after just talking about busting my butt to look like a VS Angel Re: Wishful thinking, haha! ;p ) I also look forward to the Trader Joe’s Holiday Edition of the Fearless Flyer! I stopped in the other day JUST to pick one of these up, regardless of the fact that it can be easily found and read, and perused online. As far as I’m concerned, that’s dedication. It’s filled with the yummiest holiday treats one could dream up, and I couldn’t help but see eggnog-flavored goodies dancing through my head. It’s one of my all-time favorite holiday flavors! It’s possible, even, that I look forward to it more than the TJ’s Flyer. Gasp! One problem- dairy hates me. Time to take matters into my own hands!
First, though, let’s take a step back, I’ve got one more…
Another favorite aspect of the holiday season? It’s pretty simple, but then again, it often doesn’t take much more than a festive holiday coffee cup to get me humming holiday tunes the rest of the day. Starbucks holiday cups! Pop in and get yourself a hot cup of Joe, tea, or you know, even water, so long as you ask for it in their hot to-go cups! I mean, check it out….SO CUTE! Worth it.
So where was I? Probably talking about eggnog because it’s delicious! I’ve been obsessed with it as far back as I can remember, and now I feel it’s my duty to incorporate it into as many baked goodies as possible this holiday season!
TA DA! Eggnog Granola.
Eggnog Spice Granola
While this granola definitely has a yummy hint of eggnog, I was hoping for even more. Next time, I might up the Eggnog Syrup and the SoyNog, and decrease the honey a little to let it really stand out. That being said, if you are a nutmeg and eggnog lover, you will still enjoy this granola! Dairy free, and can definitely be made gluten free if you make sure to use gluten-free oats! It’s a must-make for the holiday season!
Ingredients:
Dry:
* 5 Cups Gluten Free Old-Fashioned Oats
* 3 Cups Crispy Rice Cereal
* 1 Cup Walnuts, roughly chopped
* 1 Cup Almonds, roughly chopped
* 1/2 Cup Whole Golden Flax Seeds
* 1/2 Cup Sweetened Shredded Coconut
* 1/4 Cup Sunflower Seeds
* 1 tsp Salt
* 1 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
* 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
* 1/4 tsp Ground Allspice
Wet:
* 3/4 Cup Honey
* 2/3 Cup Brown Sugar, packed
* 1/2 Cup Torani Italian Eggnog Syrup
* 1/4 Cup SoyNog (I used Silk Brand)
* 4 Tbsp Olive Oil
* 2 Tbsp Canola Oil
* 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325*F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.
Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Combine all the wet ingredients, except for the vanilla extract, together in a separate, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, stirring at 1 minute intervals, making sure the mixture comes to a boil by the end of 5 minutes. If it has not, heat an additional minute or 2, stirring between minutes and then add in the vanilla extract.
Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture and stir well to combine. Pour out on the cookie sheet, spreading into an even layer and packing down slightly with a spatula or spoon.
Bake 20 minutes, then remove and push edge pieces inward to keep from burning. Bake an additional 20 minutes, removing at 10 minute increments to remove pieces that look brown. Make sure you bake the granola for at least 45 minutes total, adding 5 minute increments to the end if it does not seem golden brown enough.
Remove from oven and allow the granola to sit on the pan without stirring until COMPLETELY COOLED! This part is important, since it needs to cool as a solid sheet. Once cooled, break apart into large chunks and enjoy! (Obviously at this point you can break it into smaller pieces instead if you’d prefer)
Enjoy!
Yummy, crunchy, and perfectly paired with a coffee or latte served in the cutest holiday cups of all time!
Kicking off the holidays in the best way possible! =)