Did you get super excited when you heard the words “rich chocolate” and “healthy” used in the same description of my latest granola creation? Well just wait until you eat a heaping bowl of it while giggling with delight! And, of course, I love it crumbled on top of a bowl of fluffy white Greek yogurt. Mmm…drool…
When working with cocoa powder and trying to make your baked goods actually taste like chocolate, I’ve learned that you must use vanilla, a bit of salt, and a small amount of (healthy) fat, like a natural peanut butter. You can omit the peanut butter and oil all together, but you should be aware that it may taste a little less chocolaty, and that you may need to bake it a little longer to achieve the crunch you want. But, it’s only 1 Tablespoon of peanut butter in this entire nutrient-packed batch, so no fretting!
Pour almond milk all over me please!
Rich Chocolate Healthy Granola
2 cups old fashioned oats
¼ cup flax seed meal
¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
3 Tbs. Splenda
3 Tbs. cocoa powder (I used Hershey’s Special Dark)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 Tbs. creamy natural peanut butter (or almond butter)
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup raisins + craisins *
*you can use one or the other, but I like them combined because they compliment the chocolate, so I take my measuring cup (1/3 size) and fill it partially with raisins, and the rest with craisins
~Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with non-stick spray
~In a large bowl, combine oats, flax, coconut, Splenda, cocoa and salt and stir until combined.
~In a small bowl, combine applesauce, peanut butter, and vanilla and stir until combined (if you’re having trouble because your applesauce is cold and your peanut butter is seizing, microwave the mixture for 15-20 seconds, then it should be easier to mix). Pour your wet ingredients over your dry ingredients and use a silicone spatula to mix until all of your ingredients are moistened. Transfer to your baking pan, spread in a thin even layer. Bake 20 min, then use a spatula to carefully turn the granola, then bake for 20 more min. Let cool, then add the raisins and craisins and place in a container until you’re ready to eat it! Enjoy!
Don’t you wish this was tumbling onto your yogurt?
If you have been loving healthy granola lately, you’ll love my other granola recipe too!
Strike up a conversation: What are you going to make for your Super Bowl party this year? Stay tuned, because I have a healthier treat for you to bring, and I’ll post that recipe this week too! Or, of course, you could bring anything I’ve posted 🙂
