Cranberry white chocolate granola is an easy, delicious, and festive baked granola that’s perfect for healthy holiday breakfasts and snacking!

Hiya friends!

This nasty cold has been keeping its claws in me but I’m on the upswing and it’s a good thing because I’m headed to Nashville today with some of my girl friends!

None of us have been and we are going to explore the town, eat all the food, find all the yummy drinks, soak up the culture and listen to some amazing music. 🍽🥃🎤💃

And Friday is my birthday so we’ll celebrate that while we’re there! 🎉🎉

It’s a little strange to be away from my family on my birthday, but these girls are pretty much like family to me, so I’m going to be in good hands.

But I gotta finish packing before they come pick me up for the airport, so I’m keeping it short today.

Today’s recipe is one of my favorites for holiday breakfasts, brunches and just snacking!

Cranberry white chocolate granola is beautiful, festive and crazy addictive!

I think it’s the balance of salty and sweet and the desire to just keep getting more crunchy bites with those tart dried cranberries and melty white chocolate chips.

Again and again and again!

I’ve had this out at parties and the entire batch gets demolished – people just keep coming back for more!

This granola is full of oats and nuts, is naturally sweetened with maple syrup and is lightened up with just a tiny bit of oil. (I use applesauce to help get everything well coated without going overboard on the calorie front. 👍)

It’s baked until golden brown and then the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips are added for sweetness and a pretty holiday flare! ❤️

The white chocolate chips also get slightly melted against the warm granola, which helps coat all the bites even after it’s cooled.

Seriously delicious!

Notes on cranberry white chocolate granola:

• I use 1/2 cup of chopped pecans for this recipe. You can substitute walnuts if you’d rather. And if you like a really nutty granola, feel free to increase it to 3/4 cup or a full cup.
• I use applesauce here to cut down on how much oil is in the recipe – keeps it lightened up. It tastes plenty rich and hearty to me (and isn’t so crazy caloric), but feel free to adjust the amount of oil and applesauce to suit your tastes.
• I love using maple syrup here. It’s got a more complex flavor and pairs well with the flavors, but you can substitute honey if that’s all you have.
• The white chocolate chips make this extra pretty and festive I think, but you could use regular chocolate chips if that’s all you have.

I hope your upcoming holidays are full of friends and family and of course, good eats!

And if you love granola like we do, check out my chocolate pumpkin granola, 5-ingredient homemade granola (with peanut butter!) and my healthy citrus granola.

And all of us also should check out these homemade granola bars, chocolate chip granola bars and blueberry granola crunch muffins from my blogging friends.

Enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

P.S. This granola would also make an awesome gift for family, friends, neighbors and teachers this holiday season!

Yield: about 3 1/2 cups

Cranberry white chocolate granola

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Cranberry white chocolate granola is an easy, delicious, and festive granola that’s perfect for the holidays!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups oats (I use old fashioned)
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tablespoons canola oil (or melted butter or coconut oil)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine oats, pecans, cinnamon and salt and mix well.
3. In a separate small bowl, mix together the maple syrup, applesauce, oil and vanilla until well combined.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until all of the dry ingredients are well coated.
5. Transfer the mixture to the parchment-lined baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
6. Bake at 325 for 15 minutes, then remove and stir and flip granola over so it bakes evenly. Return to the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until golden brown.
7. Remove and add cranberries and white chocolate chips to the top of the granola. (This helps get the white chocolate a little softened and melted.)
8. Let cool completely then store in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

If you like a really nutty granola, feel free to increase the pecans or walnuts to 3/4 cup or a full cup.

I use applesauce here to cut down on how much oil is in the recipe - it keeps it lightened up. But feel free to adjust the amount of oil and applesauce to suit your tastes.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

14

Serving Size:

1/4 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 173 Total Fat: 8g Saturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 5g Cholesterol: 1mg Sodium: 83mg Carbohydrates: 25g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 13g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 3g