My boys LOVE granola. They go through phases when that is all they want for breakfast. Jack likes it with milk. Ewan and Sean like it with yogurt. I like it with my Greek yogurt and blueberries. Josh likes it. Like I said, granola is popular in our house!

I always mean to make homemade granola yet it never gets done. The joy of having this blog is that it gives me extra motivation to make all the things I always wanted to make, in addition to all our tried and true recipes. So yesterday I finally made it.

Not only did I finally make granola, but I also finally used coconut oil. I have read many times about the health benefits of coconut oil and thought it sounds great. Someday I will try it. Well yesterday was that day!

I just love cranberries and oranges together so that is the flavor I decided to make. The boys also love dried cranberries so I knew they would love it. The house smelled a little like the holidays with the cinnamon and orange smell coming from the oven! I am already picturing future granola flavors, especially chocolate coconut.

The boys and I thoroughly enjoyed it, though I learned two of them do not care for candied ginger. We all kept munching on it while I was trying to take photos. I hope you enjoy it too.

Cranberry Orange Granola
1/2 c. coconut oil
1/4 c. honey
2 Tbs. raw sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Zest of one orange
4 c. old fashioned oats
1 c. slivered almonds
1 c. dried cranberries
1/2 c. crystallized candied ginger, chopped

Preheat oven to 325 and line a cookie sheet with Silpat or parchment paper. Put the coconut oil and honey in a small saucepan. Heat over a low temp until the coconut oil becomes liquid. Remove from the heat and add in the sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and orange zest. Stir well.

In a large bowl combine the oats and almonds. Pour the liquid mixture over the oats and nuts. Mix well and spread evenly on the cookie sheet. Bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown, stirring once halfway through.

Add the cranberries and candied ginger once it comes out of the oven. After it cools store in and airtight container.

Yields approximately 6 1/2 cups