Carrot Cake. In granola form. What could be better?

Q.

Does this granola taste like cake?

A.

No, absolutely not. It’s much better, wholesome, and filled with goodness!

So, instead of tasting like sugar bomb cake, this granola has sweet carrot undertones, juicy raisins, roasted almonds, crisped oats and buckwheat, coconut, and all the spices and flavors found in that aforementioned cake. I’d rather have granola for breakfast anyways.

Oh granola, how wonderful yet simply overwhelming you’ve become. Ten years ago, granola was not a thing. Of course, your local health food store must have carried the stuff, but heavens forbid finding a package of crunchy oat clusters on the shelves of a big box store. Then all of a sudden, granola took root – and who sat up and listened? The food corporations, of course. And what did they pump into healthy and delicious breakfast granola? Sugar, sugar, and more sugar. Oh and refined oils. And fats. And salt. And all of the other things that can hook a consumer.

Now at VK, we know better. Making your own granola is as e-a-s-y as (carrot) cake. Not only do you get to control exactly what goes inside your granola, you also get to make your kitchen smell amazing, and your friends, family, and bank account extremely happy. Not only that, you get to make yourself a wonderful breakfast option that boasts healthy fats, fiber, and heavenly flavors too.

The best part of carrot cake? The carrot! You may have heard from everyone that carrots make your eyes sparkle and shine. This actually may be true! According to a study at the Jules Stein Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles, women who ate carrots at least twice per week – in comparison to women who ate carrots less than once per week – had significantly lower rates of glaucoma. Along with eye health, carrots are filled with antioxidants, Vitamin A, K, & C, biotin, fiber, and folate to make your entire body feel amazing!

Sweet spices + vibrant carrot + fiber filled buckwheat and oats + juicy raisins + crunchy coconut flakes + roasted almonds = your new favorite way to enjoy carrot cake!

Carrot Cake Granola

½ heaping cup of finely grated carrot
½ cup melted coconut oil
½ cup maple syrup or honey
2 ½ cup rolled oats
½ cup buckwheat groats
¼ cup chia seeds
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon sea salt
½ cup almonds
½ cup raisins
½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Method:

Preheat oven to 350° F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients: oats, buckwheat, spices, chia seeds, and sea salt. In a small bowl combine wet ingredients – coconut oil, maple syrup, and grated carrot, and stir to combine. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Spread mixture on lined baking tray in an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes, remove from oven, stir mixture, and add in almonds. Bake the granola a remaining 10-15 minutes, checking every 5 minutes or so to give the tray a good shake and check for doneness. Granola is done when it turns lightly brown.

Remove tray from oven and let cool. Stir in coconut flakes and raisins once cooled, and store in an airtight container. Enjoy!