When I get a recipe idea in my head, I have to make it that week. I usually have to wait until my next grocery shop which is always on the weekend. In the meantime I keep throwing the idea around in my head, changing ingredients, proportions, techniques, but all imaginary. But even when it comes time to actually make the recipe, I always end up going with my gut. I may have thought I would use this spice or this amount of beans. The real creativity of cooking comes when you are actually cooking, not imaginarily thinking of cooking. Just like I never follow someone else's recipe exact, I never even follow my own recipe exact.
Every time I cook I always change something up, use something different. Cooking is an art form and should reflect how you are feeling. Feeling spicy? Add some cayenne. Feeling warm and comfy? Make some chili Feeling misunderstood? Use that can of sardines! Granola is something that you can truly turn into a magic creation of everything. Just throw a bunch of ingredients in a bake. Now I like to have a general theme and I had been wanting to make some carrot cake granola for awhile now. I had this recipe in my head for months, but for some reason it kept getting delayed. But maybe that is a good thing this time. I really had time to think about it, and when I did go to pick up the ingredients to make it and actually stand at the counter mixing everything together, I really had the recipe gods working their magic.
This granola is not your ordinary carrot cake granola. It is so much more! It is tropical, buttery, perfectly sweet, and nutty. Pineapple, Coconut, Pecans, Oats, Millet, Brown Rice, Carrots. Eating a bowl of this magic mix really makes me feel like I am eating the greatest carrot cake. I was surprised actually. I had no idea how this hodge-podge of ingredients would truly come out in the end. I thought it would be to carroty, I thought the pineapple would ruin it.
Well once again I was proven wrong. Thankfully I went with mu gut and didn't use my original plan when making this. So of course the only thing left is to share it with you. Take your recipe ideas and inspirations and get in the kitchen and make them more than!
More Than Carrot Cake Granola
Ingredients: (serves 6)
+ 1 ½ Cup Certified Gluten-Free Rolled Oats
+ ½ Cup Puffed Millet
+ 1 Cup Crispy Brown Rice Cereal
+ 1 Cup Raw Unsalted Pecan Halves (crushed)
+ ½ Cup Carrot Puree
+ ¼ Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
+ ½ Cup (20g) Freeze-Dried Pineapple (crushed)
+ 1 Tsp Cinnamon
+ ¼ Tsp Nutmeg
+ ¼ Tsp Allspice
+ ½ Tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
+ 10 Drops Liquid Stevia
+ ¼ Tsp Coconut Extract
Directions:
+ Preheat oven to 325°F.
+ Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine. Then add all wet ingredients and stir again until everything is coated and mingled.
+ Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly oil it. Then spread the granola mixture evenly on the pan (not a big mound, or it won't bake right).
+ Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool before storing in an air tight jar or container.
Tropical, buttery, carrot cake for breakfast? You know that has happened on multiple occasions since this recipe was baked 😉
Now I can't leave without a happy birthday shout-out to my Mom! Happy Birthday Mom! I love you! Stay strong and don't let anything get in your way! Live to be happy and never settle for anything less. You deserve the world! <3
So tell me:
+ Do you "cook" recipe in you head before you make them, do you like to write things down, or do you just wing it?
+ What is the last recipe you made that came out better than expected?
*Recipe linking up for the week! WIAW, Allergy Free Wednesdays, #RecipeFridays, #RecipeOfTheWeek, #StrangeButGood, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Friday, Gluten-Free Fridays, Tasty Tuesdays, Savoring Saturdays, Healthy Vegan Fridays, , Gluten-Free Tuesday #Foodie Friday, Real Food Recipe Roundup!*
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erica
What a great snack for my family to take on our spring/summer hikes here in Alaska.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Granola is always a great snack!
pam (Sidewalk Shoes)
I am always looking for different kinds of granola.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I just love coming up with new combos!
Shawna
Oh man, this looks so good!!! I'm gonna have to try this one out, I love granola! <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Granola is my life 😉
Christine Gallagher
this looks so good thanks for sharing (stumbled)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Christine!
Sarah Hunnysett
i cook in my head first too! great sounding recipe i'll be trying that X
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's the best way 😉
Thank you!
Good Enuf Mommy
YUM!!! This looks absolutely amazing! My son would love this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Gotta make it then!
Mags
I'm not a very good cook, so I usually follow the recipe unless I'm feeling particularly daring, You remind me of my grandmother though, she's 92 and I've been trying to get my hands on her banana bread recipe for years and she always just says "the best cooks never measure anything."
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Your grandmother is a wise woman 😉 The best cooks don't!
TheFrugalChicken.com
Yum! I like carrot cake, never thought about making it a granola. This is one to try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Of course as a granola!
Mallory
oh anything carrot cake is perfect this time of year!! Plus I absolutely love granola!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Same 😉 Can't get better!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
Yum! I've made lots of granolas before but I've never tried a carrot cake type! Pinned for later 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks friend! 😉
Aubree Cherie @ Living Free
I cook this way too 🙂 I really don't think I've ever cooked the same thing twice... Although, this recipe looks AMAZING and I am putting it on my myst-try list 🙂 Thanks for sharing it with Naturally Sweet Tuesday! ~Aubree
Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yes! Things are just always made a bit different everytime!
raiatorn
Congrats. 😉 This was the most viewed link on Savoring Saturdays! Hope you'll come share again this weekend!
Strength and Sunshine
Really!? Wow! Awesome! You know I'll be there 🙂
Danielle L
You can never have too many granola variations in your bag of tricks - this looks like a great version!
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Danielle! I love making my own granola. But I just ran out and ran out of oats this week so I had to place an order and I don't know what I'll do with out granola for the next few days!
amber
Thank you for sharing with us on AFW. I’m featuring your recipe this week.
And oh yes, I usually *cook* up a recipe in my head before hand. I dream about food. Ha ha.
Be Well,
–Amber
Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! And I dream about it too 😉
sprint2thetable
Carrot Cake is one of my favorites - I saw a granola version in Whole Foods but couldn't force myself to fork over the money. This is perfect!
Strength and Sunshine
Never waste money on domthing you can make 😉 And make it 1000x better 😉
Adelina Priddis
mmm I should cook more in my head. I've got some pumpkin puree in my fridge though, that I think would make a nice substitution for the carrot puree...only because I don't want to puree carrots, lol. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friday
Strength and Sunshine
Yesss! Make some pumpkin pie granola with it! I have a recipe on the blog 😉
I didn't actually puree my own carrots....to lazy....so I use a jar of baby food carrots! Works like a charm 😉
Marla
I love this recipe - what a healthy and tasty ingredients. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays Blog Hop. Great snack for kids.
Strength and Sunshine
It is! Great snack for adults too 😉
Linda Warren
I love granola and this one looks fantastic! I will have to try adding Stevia to my granolas to help cut down on those bad sugars. I too never follow a recipe and actually improvise as I go. The last recipe that surprised me was one I will be posting soon, a banana upside down cake, that wound up having a taste similar to Tortuga Rum Cakes. Thanks for sharing on Gluten Free Fridays.
Strength and Sunshine
I only ever use stevia and its the best! Plus I don't even like overly sugared granolas 😉
But I can't wait to see that recipe! Sounds phenomenal!
Sophie at Franglaise Cooking
What a delicious mix of ingredients, that certainly sounds like one to try out!
Thanks for linking up to #TastyTuesdays, I've pinned this on to the Tasty Tuesdays Pinterest board too.
Strength and Sunshine
It all works fabulously together!
Nichole Josey
Happy Birthday to your momma!! That picture is so cute!!
Strength and Sunshine
Haha thank you Nicole! I wanted somthing recent but..... 😉
Patty @ Reach Your Peak
This looks great! I love carrot cake and would have never thought to put carrot cake puree in oats. Thanks for the idea!
Strength and Sunshine
I use baby food for my carrot puree and it works phenomenal! 😉
Tiff
Happy birthday to your mom! I cook on the whim as well and rarely make anything exactly the same way.
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks love! I will tell her you said so 🙂
And I think that really is the best way to cook 😉 It keeps things interesting!
veggiedancer
That granola looks delicious--I love the combination of spices that you used, and the freeze-dried pineapple must add a nice touch as well. I've never thought of using dried pineapple in granola before, but it's a great idea! I frequently create recipes in my mind as well, usually based on what we have in the fridge or pantry that needs to be used up ASAP. However, like you, I often just "wing it" when it comes to the exact amount of ingredients, and I rarely make a single recipe (even the ones I created) the same way twice! I am constantly tweaking, adding, subtracting, and substituting ingredients, depending on what we have available and what I feel in the mood for at that precise moment. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Strength and Sunshine
I always used freeze dried fruit in my granola! It has no added sugar is already has a nice subtle crunch to it!
Courtney @The TriGirl Chronicles
I need to remember to not look at your blog until after lunch. Looks so yummy!
Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha I take that as a great compliment! Thanks Courtney 😉
The Fit Fork (@TheFitFork)
I always make granola for my hubby and like experimenting — this carrot cake take looks like a winner — will try!
Strength and Sunshine
Its do fin yo make isn't it!? Let me know if you do try it 🙂
Linz
looks AWESOME! love me some granola!
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks love, me too 😉
Pamela Hernandez (@ThriveFit)
Love this low sugar idea! Low sugar granola is harder to find.
Strength and Sunshine
You never need sugar when you make your own! That's the best thing about using what you love 😉
Brittany (@batrentham)
I love me some carrot cake! Must try!
Strength and Sunshine
Twobof the greats combined! Carrot cake and granola 😉
Kierston
This looks awesome.
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks love 🙂
jessielovestorun
Mmmm this sounds so good. I bet it would be awesome combined w/ Davida's carrot cake she posted the other day. I'm thinking sprinkled on top of cream cheese icing 🙂
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Jessie 🙂
The ultimate carrot cake 😉