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Carrot Cake Granola

carrot cake granola

My dad is many things…awesome comes to mind immediately.

But he’s also:

Generous.  Advice, a hug, a home cooked meal – he’ll give it to you.

Hilarious.  At least he thinks so.  Ask him to tell you his termite joke. No. Don’t.

Genius.  He can fix anything with WD-40 and duct tape. Even your very first car that maxed out at 25mph and occasionally caught fire. The one you wished was beyond repair because no car might actually have been better than this car. But he fixed it. Thanks dad.

Adding to his awesomeness, he’s a cancer survivor, a great cook and a master gardener.
He’s a family man, an inspiration and…a carrot cake lover.

I had intentions of making him carrot cake cupcakes to celebrate Father’s Day, but then I received a phone call from my dad. Something along the lines of “When you come see me you better bring it. Saturday workout. No sissies allowed. No crying, weeping or moaning. The earlier the better. No excuses. Bring your swimsuit, clothes, and an oxygen tank…whatever you need to survive. Bring it.”  Hmmm….no mention of carrot cake on that list. It seems Dad’s taken healthy to a whole new level and he’s not messing around. Scratch the delicious amounts of butter and sugar. Time for a carrot cake transformation.

What better to fuel a day at the gym than a healthy, flavorful granola? It’s crunchy…with clusters. Yum, clusters! And it actually smells and tastes like real carrot cake. Probably because it’s made with real carrots. Three of them. Are you still reading? Or did I lose you at the part where I told you to eat granola instead of cake? I know. Seems crazy, right? But this stuff is really good. I brought it alright.

Carrot Cake Granola (makes about 5.5 cups) (adapted from Healthy Food For Living originally from Live Laugh Eat)

Ingredients:
2 cups oats (I used gluten-free oats)
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup finely shredded carrots, about 3 large carrots
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/8-1/4 cup agave (I used the lesser amount)
2 heaping tablespoons ground flaxseed
Zest of 1 orange
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I used Mexican vanilla)
1 teaspoon canola oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of salt
0-1 cup raisins (see note 1 below)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment.
  2. In a large bowl combine the oats, pecans and coconut. Mix.
  3. In a small bowl combine all other ingredients except for raisins. Stir until combined. At this point it will look like baby food. You’re doing it right.
  4. Pour the wet carrot mixture over the oats and stir to coat all of the oat mixture.
  5. Spread the granola on the parchment covered cookie sheet and bake for about 30-40 minutes. Be sure to stir the granola around every 10 minutes.
  6. Remove and let cool. Stir in the raisins. It will crisp up as it cools. If it doesn’t put it back in the oven for a few more minutes.

 Notes:

  1. Don’t think for a second that I ate a raisin. They are easy to leave out or pick around, but my taste tester said he liked it better with the raisins, so I left them in there. Gross.
  2. I set a timer every 10 minutes to remind me to stir the granola. I actually took mine out after 30 minutes, but it was still a little chewy so I baked it for 10 more minutes. Perfection. I used a Silpat which could be why mine didn’t crisp for 40 minutes. Just keep an eye on it and remove when it starts to turn golden brown.
  3. I used a microplane to shred my carrots but I think you could probably use the smallest grate on a box shredder.
  4. I wasn’t going to post this. I was just going to give it as a Father’s day gift. But then I ate some. And then Jon ate some. And then I ate some more. You see where this is going? I needed an excuse to make another batch. Enjoy!

30 thoughts on “Carrot Cake Granola”

  1. I really look forward to your healthy recipes! I can’t wait to try this! I love the story about your dad! Hooray about being a cancer survivor! And yes, my husband liked to remind my daughters team there’s no crying in baseball!

    Reply ↓

  4. I had the chance to taste it and I didn’t, what a mistake!!It looked good, think I was wondering how in the world it could be as good as carrot cake, but knowing you, I’m sure it was surprisingly GREAT!!! Safe travels, Love AM

    Reply ↓

  8. I’m going to make it this weekend. Just for you, no raisins. I’ll be using dried pineapple. I think it will go well with the carrots & coconut.

    Reply ↓

  9. I just found your blog, and I think I am in love. Trying to eat healthier all the time, this looks like a marvelous treat! I make lots of homemade granola, but to make it taste like carrot cake is genius! To keep with the healthy trend though I think I will put this over the low fat homemade frozen yogurt I made yesterday, yes from homemade yogurt! I am so excited!

    Reply ↓

  10. I think your dad is a good guy, too, but is nice to hear a daughter have such great things fo say about her dad! I made the granola today. Great.

    Reply ↓

  11. I just found your blog and was so excited to read this recipe. Not only am I a granola junkie, but I went gluten-free 2 weeks ago. I am going to make this today and it very well could become my first official blog post! :)

    Reply ↓

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  19. I made this granola the other day, and it is delicious! I had to threaten my husband to get him to stop eating it right off the cookie sheet. lol This will be a new staple at our house, thank you so much! :)

    Reply ↓

    • Great! So glad you liked it! I need to make it again soon! Sometimes I forget what I have on here and need to go back and make it asap!

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Posted on June 25, 2011

Categories: baking, breakfast, brunch, dessert, easy, gifts, gluten free, healthy, nuts, snacks, vegan, vegetarian
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