Maple and Cranberry Toasted Crunch
Muesli, Granola, Floor Sweepings, Cereal, Crumble…the names go on. My husband has a (dare I say it?) fetish for a crunchy start to his day…or for that matter would prefer a bowl of this with icy cold milk for dessert on most nights. Not for him the rich, chocolatey or lemony waves of any of my Decadent Desserts! I have had a few well deserved days off this week, and so have enjoyed some leisurely cooking in my almost done new kitchen…this breakfast takes a little time, but is so simple, it can barely be classed as a recipe! SO throw a few things together and see what you come up with. It may just turn you on to breakfast!
Maple and Cranberry Toasted Crunch
NEED:
150g butter
150g Maple Syrup (please use the real deal!)
good pinch salt
2 tbsp vanilla essence
1 cup whole almonds
1 cup pecans
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
4-5 cups rolled oats
150g dried (as opposed to fresh) pitted dates
100g craisins
50g shredded coconut
DO:
Place butter, syrup, salt and vanilla into Thermomix bowl and melt together for 4 minutes at 60oC on speed 2. Set aside.
Meanwhile, spread nuts and seeds onto large flat tray and toast in hot oven for about 10-12 minutes until crunchy. Set aside to cool slightly.
Spread oats onto tray and drizzle with butter mixture. Stir and mix by hand until evenly distributed. Cook in 170oC oven for around 3o minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure edges are not overdone.
Place dates into Thermomix bowl and chop for 8-10 seconds on speed 9. Place into large mixing bowl.
Place cooled nuts into Thermomix bowl and with dial set to closed lid position, pulse on Turbo for less than 1 second, just to chop roughly. Add to mixing bowl.
Cool oats slightly before adding to the bowl.
Add craisins and coconut and mix by hand. Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks…but it won’t last that long, I can assure you!
Memories. Used to make crunchy granola when I was a student. Love the ideas here.
Thanks again.
Tenina, this is wonderful. I’ve made a containerful and have it for breakfast!!
Thanks Tenina, I’ve been looking for something like this and I just adore craisins and maple syrup. I might just try to reduce the fat a little though – I hope that it doesn’t detract from the final product!
I made this today and ate it for lunch – fantastic!
I reduced the butter to 120gm and it is still just fine.
Had a problem with the dates. 8-10 seconds on speed 9 turned them to puree. So did 5 seconds on speed 7. At that point I ran out of dates and used sultanas instead.
We are on to our third lot in as many days…well almost! So easy once you know how! I will try the reduced fat version Amanda, and my hips will thank you no doubt!
Made it today, and it was yummy! I had the same problem with the dates, but went ahead. The date puree collected other bits to make yummy clusters
Next time I will chop them by hand though.
My husband polished of the last of the cereal this morning (so it lasted a whole 5 days!) and begged me to make some more. Just made a double batch
Didn’t have enough maple syrup, so used 50/50 maple syrup and honey, worked out fine.
Chopped the dates on a lower TMX speed so they didn’t puree, but think my husband will request the “date clusters” again next time….
For anyone going to try this, just make a double batch from the start!
I made this on the weekend and it is lovely. Will definately be making this again – Thanks Tenina