Lauren's Latest » Chocolate Almond Granola {healthy!}

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Chocolate Almond Granola {healthy!}

So, as some of you have probably noticed, my comments are totally not working. WordPress and this little blog of mine likes to give me heart failure from time to time. And I know this isn’t the end of the world {like my site going down} but it’s such a buzz kill. I love reading your comments. Bummer.

So, until I can get this issue figured out, I’d still love to read what you have to say on my Facebook wall, Twitter, or Pinterest! I can read comments you leave on my pins as well as see repins! Please hook a sistah up with comments! Please and thank you.

Moving on….

After making and devouring cookies for breakfast, I was enthralled with the idea of turning my breakfasts into desserts. My thighs, however, were not exactly thrilled with this new plan.

What’s the best way around this?

Simple trickery.

I have devised a simple plan to trick my bottom half, taste buds and tummy all at the same time with something chocolaty, delicious, low fat with no sugar! Hello healthy breakfast. This stuff is amazing, especially if you’re trying to cut back on the sugar {which we are!} Take a peek and see how ridiculously easy this is!

Start out with some oats in a bowl. Quick cooking please!

To that, add in some almonds

and unsweetened coconut flakes. I used Bob’s Red Mill brand….because we love Bob.

Stir this all together and set it aside.

So in a liquid measuring cup, melt some butter. Lets pretend I took a photo of that, shall we? To that, add in some maple syrup.

Now measure out a heaping 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder. Use really good quality stuff. I used Scharffen Berger.

Microwave this a few more seconds so the cocoa powder melds into the mixture

and then stir in a little vanilla.

Pour the whole thing into the oats and stir. My husband would make a great hand model.

Dump this out onto some baking sheets and cook these babies up at 250 degrees for 1 hour.

And, voila! 1 hour later, beautifully golden, not too sweet, healthy and chocolaty granola. Mmmmm…..Cool this down and store in air tight containers for up to 2 weeks.

Excuse me while I lick my screen….I mean….never mind.

Enjoy!

Cocoa Almond Granola
yield: 12 cups cereal
Print This Recipe

Ingredients:
8 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup sliced toasted almonds
2 cups unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder {heaping}
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine oats, almonds and coconut. Stir and set aside. In a small liquid measuring cup, melt butter in microwave. Stir in maple syrup and cocoa powder. Microwave mixture another 30 seconds or so or until cocoa mixes in so there aren’t any lumps. Stir in vanilla. Pour butter/maple mixture over bowl of oats. Stir to coat and divide between two cookie sheets. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour. Cool and store in airtight container.

breakfast, Snack

49 comments »

49 Responses to “Chocolate Almond Granola {healthy!}”

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1

@kroshey — April 25, 2012 at 3:30 am

Looks delish!

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Anneka — April 25, 2012 at 3:30 am
Do you think I could use gluten free oats?

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- Lauren — April 25th, 2012 @ 5:33 pm
  
  Sure! I don’t see why not.
  
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  - Anneka — April 28th, 2012 @ 12:48 am
    
    Thanks! I can’t wait to make this for breakfast tomorrow!
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3

Kelster — April 25, 2012 at 3:36 am

Perfect timing! I’ve been looking for granola recipes.

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From Valerie's Kitchen — April 25, 2012 at 3:39 am

Chocolate, almonds, and oats are a great combo! Love that you can feel good about it too

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Averie @ Averie Cooks — April 25, 2012 at 3:50 am

Chocolate and coconut, can’t go wrong with that combo!

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Kerry — April 25, 2012 at 4:05 am

This sounds delicious and easy. Can’t beat chocolate and coconut. Thanks!

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Ellen @ The Baking Bluenoser — April 25, 2012 at 4:38 am

I love trickery like this! A yummy sweet treat that is healthy? I’d say this is a perfect recipe for me.

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Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious — April 25, 2012 at 5:38 am
Yay, comments are working again! I just posted my granola bars today. Looks like we’re both on a health kick, right? Well, can we call it a health kick if chocolate is involved? I mean it has oats so I think we’ll be just fine

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- Lauren — April 25th, 2012 @ 5:34 pm
  
  I know! FINALLY got these darn comments working again! LOL!
  
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Kathryn — April 25, 2012 at 9:04 am
Ooh I hadn’t thought of using cocoa powder before to make chocolate granola, what a perfect idea.

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- Lauren — April 25th, 2012 @ 5:34 pm
  
  The cocoa keeps it low fat!!
  
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10

Blog is the New Black — April 25, 2012 at 11:49 am

If there are crumbs on your screen, I will come lick it, too!

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Rachel Cooks (formerly Not Rachael Ray) — April 25, 2012 at 11:57 am

Looks like the comments are working now! Granola looks delicious!

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Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray — April 25, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Omnomnom I eat granola by the handful…I’m dangerous with a container of it sitting on my table!

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- Lauren — April 25th, 2012 @ 5:35 pm
  
  We keep ours on our fridge in a huge ziploc bag! LOVE IT!
  
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Erin — April 25, 2012 at 1:01 pm

Oh yum! Chocolate granola sounds delicious…wish I already had some ready for breakfast this morning!

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akb — April 25, 2012 at 1:07 pm

Is there any good substitution for coconut? I have an allergy, but have a hard time knowing what to use when recipes call for coconut flakes.

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15

Living The Sweet Life — April 25, 2012 at 1:30 pm

Chocolate for breakfast … ummm, why yesss that IS a great idea

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Jenny Flake — April 25, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Looks so yummy Lauren! I can practically taste it from here!

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- Lauren — April 25th, 2012 @ 5:36 pm
  
  Hope you get around to making this, Jenny!
  
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Marcee .... ILLINOIS — April 25, 2012 at 1:59 pm

Recipe looks good. I will try.

There are zillons of folks who have nut allergies ….. or maybe have digesting issues with any nut.

Someone should have already invented nut-free granola. It must taste great for kids and adults. Free of heavy sugars. Just a bit.

There was a recipe I came across one time that only used cereals, oats, honey and I think egg whites. Cannot recall the instructions.

Your recipe will be tasty for Mother’s Day! Bake a few batches and fill up those cello bags! Thanks Lauren.

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18

Jill — April 25, 2012 at 2:00 pm

This looks great, Lauren! I can’t wait to try it!!

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Jen @ The Scrumptious Pumpkin — April 25, 2012 at 4:05 pm

My husband is always my hand model too! This looks delicious

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Julia {The Roasted Root} — April 25, 2012 at 4:31 pm

chocolate granola is the perfect way to start the day. Looks like your comment issue may have been resolved (yaaay!). Excited to try your granola recipe.

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Laurie {Simply Scratch} — April 25, 2012 at 5:29 pm
All the things I could top with this granola! Love it!

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- Lauren — April 25th, 2012 @ 5:37 pm
  
  Chocolate granola is the perfect cereal to add fruit too! Or more chocolate….
  
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Donna E — April 25, 2012 at 6:53 pm

This looks good! Thank you. For Anneka, when i looked up gluten, Livestrong.com said: The three most common grains that have gluten are wheat, rye and barley. Three common grains that do NOT contain gluten are corn, OATS and rice.

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Marjory Betchkal — April 26, 2012 at 12:03 am

Yum and might I say amazing!!!

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Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts — April 26, 2012 at 2:01 am

I love granola, but have yet to make my own. This chocolate version sounds like a great way to start the day!

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Jessica — April 26, 2012 at 5:18 am

Ummm so you could totally mail me some of this. Just sayin’

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Anna @ hiddenponies — April 26, 2012 at 5:29 am

Hey, comments! I thought you were just blocking me or somethin’ This looks perfect!

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Sweet Philosopher — April 26, 2012 at 12:51 pm

this looks amazing – i have been looking for a ganola recipe that is actually healthy and this looks like it might just be the one – i am going to try substituting the nuts though for my faves but thank you for the inspiration x

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28

Maria — April 26, 2012 at 1:44 pm

I want to eat this by the handful!

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Megan Pence — April 26, 2012 at 5:42 pm

This looks FANTABULOUS Lauren! I’m all for tricking my mind, thighs and tummy into thinking I’m eating dessert at breakfast

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anonymous — April 26, 2012 at 8:35 pm

yes your husband is a great hand model looks yummy (the cereal, not your husband!) you get what i mean right? i had this gerund, participle, infinitive exam yesterday and suffered severe brain damage. thats why im not thinking right…

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Katie @ ohshineon — April 27, 2012 at 4:37 am

Oh, this recipe looks awesome. I’ve been meaning to make up another batch of granola. All I need is the time to set aside one hour from my crazy schedule to watch over the hot oven!

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Jenny @ BAKE — April 27, 2012 at 1:37 pm

you make it look so simple! I’m going to have to try this!

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emily — May 1, 2012 at 3:42 am

oh my goodness, i want this right now!! just made your no bake choc chip granola bars tonight for breakfast tomorrow and snuck a bite. yummy. i can’t wait to make this recipe for weekend breakfast. thanks for all the yum ideas!

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suzieg — May 11, 2012 at 2:31 am

Tried this last weekend, Lauren….love it! My son says “it’s the bomb!” I posted a blog for you about it http://suziesimaginarium.blogspot.com/2012/05/food-for-shopping.html

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PSHYRA — June 9, 2012 at 5:39 pm

I LOVE YOUR SITE! I JUST MADE THE “NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE CHIP GRANOLA BARS” WITH MY DAUGHTERS. WE’RE WAITING FOR THEM TO SET NOW. I LOVE HOW SIMPLE YOUR RECIPES ARE. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING OUT MORE OF THEM.THANKS!

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Marissa — August 8, 2012 at 12:54 am
This looks SOOOO yummy! What a great breakfast idea for the die-hard chocholics like me !

But I gotta ask, is it reallllllllyyyyyy that healthy if BUTTER is used? Any substitutes for that?

And what’s the calorie count?

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- Lauren — August 8th, 2012 @ 6:54 am
  
  When I use the term healthy, I mean no preservatives or chemicals. And I prefer butter over oil any day….love the flavor of butter! And, no idea on the calorie count! Sorry!
  
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