Roasted Cashew & Coconut Cocoa Granola

Recipe from PickUpLimes (Sadia Badiei)

Husband-Tested in Alice’s Kitchen

Makes about 16 (4 oz.) servings

This fabulous granola reminds me of a healthier version of the boxed chocolate cereal I used to love as a kid.  Okay, it was Cocoa Puffs.  I know.  I was coocoo for Cocoa Puffs and loved how it turned my milk into chocolate milk. Even though I’m all grown up, I still love to get a little chocolate hit now and then, but I prefer making my own version. This is very easy to make and would be a great way to substitute boxed cereal.  Be sure to add some berries or chopped apples or sliced bananas to your cereal bowl to make this even more wholesome.  And, yes, if using it for cereal, it will turn your milk a bit chocolatey.

4 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup raw cashews, coarsely chopped

1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds

¼ cup raw, unsweetened coconut flakes

3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ cup coconut sugar or brown sugar

¼ cup unrefined coconut oil

¼ cup agave syrup or maple syrup

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt

¼ cup raw, unsweetened coconut flakes

Preheat oven to 350F.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.  Add all dry ingredients (except reserved ¼ cup coconut flakes) to a large bowl, mixing to combine.  In a separate small bowl, mix together the coconut oil, agave syrup, and salt until well combined.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.  Stir to combine. Evenly distribute over two cookie sheets and place in the oven.  Bake 15 minutes** or so until browned, removing the pans from the oven every 5 minutes to stir. Allow to cool.  The granola will crisp up as it cools.  Once cooled, add the reserved ¼ cup coconut flakes.  (This serves to add some white color to the cocoa color of the granola.) Place in an airtight container and enjoy with yogurt or milk and, or on smoothies, or on its own as a snack. Add your own desired raw nuts, seeds, or dried fruits for a little variation.  This granola will keep for up to one month.

**NOTE:  The original recipe that the cook time was 40 minutes, but I think that is way too long and you will end up with burnt granola.  Even though my hinky oven cooks hot, 15 minutes was plenty of cook time.  So, I recommend checking and stirring the granola every 5 minutes with 15 minutes being the end time.

Nutrition FactsServing size: 4 oz. (1/2  cup)Servings: 16

Amount per serving
Calories	250
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13.6g	17%
Saturated Fat 6.1g	30%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 26mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 27.7g	10%
Dietary Fiber 4.1g	15%
Total Sugars 3.5g
Protein 6.2g
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Calcium 20mg	2%
Iron 2mg	13%
Potassium 95mg	2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet.2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
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Compare the ingredients and the nutrition of the above to Coco Puffs Cereal (per 3/4 cup serving)