The Ultimate Chocolate Granola (This is Dessert!)

Recipe from A Pinch of Yum

Husband-Tested in Alice’s Kitchen

Makes 16 servings (about 1/3 cup each)

This is granola is certainly in dessert territory and will turn simple berries and yogurt into decadence. Make this in advance and it will make a great hostess gift for a party.  The dark chocolate, coconut and sea salt combo make for a fabulous treat for your taste buds.

3 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1¼ cups sliced raw almonds (I chopped 1¼ cup whole almonds.)

¾ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

½ cup cocoa powder

¼ teaspoon kosher or sea salt

½ turbinado sugar, divided

2/3 cup melted coconut oil (measured in liquid form)

1/3 cup real maple syrup

1 teaspoon real vanilla extract

1½ cups bittersweet chocolate chips

Sea salt, for finishing (to taste)

Preheat the oven to 250F.  Toss the oats, almonds, coconut, cocoa, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 1/3 cup of the sugar in a large bowl.  Whisk the melted coconut oil, maples syrup and vanilla together.  Pour over the dry ingredients and stir to combine.  Spread the granola on to two large rimmed sheet pans in an even layer.  (I used parchment paper to prevent sticking.)

Bake for 25 minutes and then check the granola and give it a stir.  Bake another 25 minutes.  Remove the granola from the oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips.  Return the granola to the oven and bake another 5 minutes or so, until the chocolate is very soft.  Sprinkle with the remaining sugar and coarse sea salt, to taste. The added sugar and salt should stick to the outside of the chocolate chips.

Let the granola stand for 2 hours.  Gently scoop the granola into jars or an airtight container for storing. 

Serve it as dessert over ice cream, banana splits, yogurt, berries or just as is.

Nutritional Info: (By my calculations, 1/3 cup = 402 calories; 6.6 grams fiber.  ¼ cup = 306 calories; 5 grams fiber)