Deep into Reno-cation week, the idea of this dessert granola came to me. I was sore, I was weak, and I was needing a major pick-me-up at the end of a long day of painting intricate wood trim.
Chocolate sounded like the answer.
Eric said it was my best idea all week.
I dreamed of crunchy and clumpy, warm, chocolaty granola cascading over the top of a bowl of cold Banana Soft Serve. It was just the thing to give me hope that renos would some day come to an end.
Because when you’ve been wearing red plaid PJ’s and clogs for a week straight, hope is all you have!
[print_this]
Chocolate Crunch Dessert Granola
Yield: ~6 cups
Ingredients:
- 2 & 1/4 cup regular oats
- 1/2 cup peanuts (or whatever nuts you prefer)
- 1/2-3/4 tsp kosher salt, to taste (I used 3/4 tsp)
- 2 tbsp peanut butter (or other nut butter)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp brown rice syrup (this gives the clumpy factor)
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 & 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325F and line a baking sheet with parchment or a non-stick mat.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (oats, salt, peanuts). In another smaller bowl, stir together the oil, brown rice syrup, and peanut butter. Heat in microwave for about 45 seconds. Stir well and stir in vanilla.
3. Add wet to dry and stir very well until oats are coated. Spread on baking sheet and bake at 325F for 20-25 minutes, flipping once half way through (it will be very sticky, not to worry!). Allow to cool on baking sheet for about 30 minutes before transferring into a container. I store mine in the fridge to keep the chocolate firm. Makes 6 cups.
Note: You can probably substitute other liquid sweeteners for BRS and other light-tasting oils for coconut oil. The Brown Rice Syrup makes it quite clumpy though, so I prefer to use that sweetener in granola!
[/print_this]
Luckily for me (and my sore arms!), this recipe was quick and easy. It only takes 5 minutes to throw this together and pop it into the oven.
The most important ingredient to your dessert granola:
You know the drill by now…mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Then mix the wet (heat up in microwave), and then add wet to dry and stir well.
Add in chocolate chips…
Spread onto your prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 23-25 minutes at 325F, flipping once half way through. Cool for 30 minutes (if you can!)
This is what I’m talking about!
The result is a super clumpy and chocolaty dessert granola….without being too sweet.
I served some granola warm over Banana Soft Serve and it was to die for! It is also really good on cereal and VOO.
As for those renos, we did 3 coats of paint yesterday and also installed the wainscoting. The room is looking awesome! We now have to paint the wainscoting and finish up a few details. I’m going to wait to show you the rest of the pictures until we are done! It will be a fairly dramatic before and after, I’m hoping… :)
I also have an 11-mile long training run to tackle today…after skipping a few workouts for renos. Something tells me this isn’t going to be easy!
this looks fabulous – warm granola with melty chocolate? yes please! I can’t wait to see the finished project!! :D
Wow…good luck with the long run!!! Love the looks of the granola and your hot reno outfit!
chocolatey goodness, oh my.
Oh Angela, this is FABULOUS!!!
That looks like a perfect reno treat!
Yum! What a great idea to have it with the banana soft serve too. That stuff is good.
I hate renovations. Hope the light at the end of the tunnel is getting very close for you guys.
OMG that looks good… granola harnessed for the power of evil!
I love having granola for dessert! I bet it is amazing with banana soft serve!! I think I might add pieces of dried cherries to my granola. I just love cherries and chocolate :)
I’m a huge fan of any recipe that includes chocolate chips :) Looks delicious!
I have a 10-miler this week – eeeep! :) Slow and steady .. . that’s all you need to ask of yourself. Hope you’re able to do it outside! T-mill long runs are brutal!
slow and steady…I love that! I think I need to start reducing the speed of my long runs.
I used to speed through mine and then wonder why I was exhausted after 8!! I guess they’re supposed to be slow (though on the shorter ones I do find myself competing against whatever pace/time I had at that last distance – it’s hard not to do!!).
I have that exact same problem, especially since I took a break from running for awhile and am just now getting back to the 5k-ish distances. I start out at a slower pace and end up sprinting the last few laps to “beat my times”, even though I know I should give my legs a break on those days! Good luck on the 10-miler!
Ta muchly – hopefully it will be outside!!
Wow, this does look delicious. Good luck on your training run!
Have fun on your run today!
I love wainscoting and I’m sure it looks beautiful!
Looks delicious! Your plaid pants are hysterical. WOW!
I think this might be your best granola yet! I am in the midst of a cleanse, but if I get gluten-free oats and a good really dark chocolate, I think I can have this …. it looks especially awesome over banana soft serve – great idea!!
Can’t wait to see the unveiling of your room – I love dramatic and bold!!
Chocolate granola is one my my favorites! Love how the chocolate melts and coats all the other good stuff so you get a bite of chocolate with every spoonful!
yummy! i just picked up some buckwheat and can’t wait to make some granola. Love the addition of chocolate chips :)
I was wondering if you know of a good substitute for brown rice syrup? Could I use maple syrup? Or would I need something thicker like corn syrup?
Thanks! Can’t wait to try it:)
Another liquid sweetener would work too, although I like BRS because it gives it that nice clumpy factor :)
Hey Karen I saw your comment above mine, so thought I’d comment – I have a hard time with sugars, so I use date paste to replace sugar in granola recipes and it’s always worked great for me. You could try 1/4 cup chopped dates soaked in 3 tbsp water for 5 minutes, then mash into a paste and add it as a replacement for the brown rice syrup. Good luck :)
This is a wonderful idea Leanne! I’m gonna give it a go! :)
OMG. I cannot wait to go home and make some of that! Thanks!
The first word that came to mind when I saw this recipe was: Deadly. Holy moly I don’t know if I could control myself by not eating the entire batch in one sitting.
That looks sooo good! PB + Chocolate= Heaven! =D I also happen to have homemade caramel dip…..so I might be making a banana soft serve/granola/caramel bowl of yum tonight! =D
Just what I’ve been waiting for, I might try and add in the homemade choco-chunks:)
this is dangerous! granola doesn’t last long around me :)
Oooh yum this looks awesome! Here’s the deal: I’ll sit home and eat some dessert granola, and you head out for the run, mmkay? ;) Have a good one Ange!
Oh that looks heavenly on a cold, rainy day like today. :-)
Good luck on the training run! Sometimes my very best runs come when I think I’ve taken just a few days too many off between runs :)
all granola tastes like dessert to me — this one looks extra delish though! =)
YUM! I am such a fan of granola (if you couldn’t tell by the name of my blog!). This looks delightful!
I just came in from cleaning the snow off my car and warm chocolate granola sounds like heaven right now.
This recipe looks delicious!! I think I will have to make this one!
And I voted for you at the Best Health Blog Awards! Good luck!!
I can’t wait to see the before and after photos!
Mmmmm….these look like warm, deconstructed oatmeal cookie chunks!!!! In other words…completely amazing!!!
I’m with your hubby – best idea you’ve had all week! I will be making this with almonds asap! It will be the perfect treat once I start hearing back from colleges:)
good luck on the run! You’ll do just fine :)
As for this granola…yeah, it’s gonna happen!
love,
cathy b.
That is one delicious looking bowl of granola. Yum!
Sounds like your reno is coming along and I can’t wait for the big reveal.
Sounds amazing!! Could you use coconut butter? Honey roasted peanuts would probably be so good in this. Glad your painting is going well, good luck on your run!
i think coconut butter would work, you just might need to use more of it since it is so thick. Let me know if you try it!
Oh my god, peanuts in granola.
Lovely idea!
Mmmm. I think i’m going to try this with PB&Co Dark Chocolate Dreams as the pb. Decadent!
mmm great idea!
I’m seriously about to cook my way through your blog haha
Looks amazing! I need to try and make my own granola because I go through it so fast! Excited to see your renovations
Oh man, good luck with your 11 miles! I ran 8 on Saturday after going out Friday night.. It was difficult to say the least but I never regret a good workout!
And your recipes never cease to amaze me, that granola looks so delish. And even though its “dessert” granola it’s still granola which clearly makes it okay for breakfast too.
:)
That looks fantastic!!
Yum! I did a similar thing for breakfast, by making peach cinnamon quinoa, and then dotting in dark chocolate. It was basically dessert for breakfast, which is a fantastic start to any Monday morning!
Love the plaid pjs too!
I have PJ pants just like those! I bet this granola is heavenly. I have yet to make my own granola so far… I need to get on that!
You have so much energy, you put me to shame!! I desperately need to start decorating now the sun is starting to shine as it’s showing up all manner of things I don’t like. Can’t wait to see pics :-)
This could be one of the best ideas you’ve had yet – that looks so so good!
OHMYGOSH! What a great idea?! Would have never thought to add choc chips. I love how it gets all melty and yummy after baking. Can’t wait to experiment :)
Note to self: buy silpat!!
oh my that looks decadent and delicious, good luck on your run today!
This does looks amazing- thanks for the inspiration! And good luck on that run ;)
Mmm that sounds dangerously good! And good luck on your run today!
I’m contemplating leaving work to just go home and make this! Looks so good!