Carrot Cake Granola {Naturally Sweetened and Oil Free}

by kris on August 11, 2011 in Baked Goods, Breakfast, Recipes, Snacks

Happy Thursday!

I woke up yesterday with a major Crave Wave and a bowl of Steelies wasn’t going to cut it. Even a bowl of my glorious new Spiced Quinoa Cereal wasn’t going to cut it. I was reading Angela’s latest post and she mentioned Carrot Cake…..well a slice of cakes wasn’t gonna happen…

I have had this breakfast obsession that is taking over my life like the tight rolled jean trend took over my 7th grade year!

What the heck has gotten into me?? Normally I am the “same ‘ol, same ‘ol” smoothie gal that sips a monster sludge colored breakfast in 5 minutes flat. Nope, not this month, I have been craving sweet things that have a crunch and that I can pour endless amounts of thick, bubbly Almond Milk all over…..

Swoon.

Between checking emails and motivating my team, I took the time to make this breakfast that has left me begging for more. I am not only obsessed with Justin Timberlake, I am now obsessed with Carrot Cake Granola, which is by the way Sugar Free and Oil Free. Can I get a “WOOOOT WOOOT”?? This simple bowl of nutrional pleasure is healthy and surprisingly quick to make. Of course if you are an out of home office attender, it would be smarter to make this night before and let it soak in all the goodness before it enters your bowl!

Carrot Cake Granola {Naturally Sweetened and Oil Free}

2 cups Organic Quick Oats

1 medium Carrot {grated}

2 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Nutmeg

1/4 tsp Sea Salt

1/4 cup Trail Mix {raisins, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds}

1 Banana {mashed}

2 tbsp Honey

1/4 tsp Stevia Powder mixed with 1/4 cup water

1 tsp Vanilla

To Make Carrot Cake Granola: Preheat oven to 325.

Mix the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl plus the shredded carrot.

In a separate mixing bowl, mash the banana, and stir in the remaining liquid. Add the wet to the dry and stir together.

On a parchment lined cookie sheet spread the mixture out evenly and bake for 20 – 25 minutes. Every 10-15 minutes check on the granola and stir a bit.

I know this was good because my Hunka Man was “MMMMMMMM~ing” from his office while eating every single bite.

I topped this fancy pants granola with Blackberries and Banana and a splash of Almond Milk

Dang…will smoothies ever be my breakfast of choice again?! LOL

Today is some Gym Time, Work Time and then Diva Date Night!! WOOO HOOO!!!

What is your FAV additive to Granola??

To Your Glam Life,

xxoo

Kris

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This post was written by kris who has written 1005 posts on iheartwellness.com.

31 Responses to “Carrot Cake Granola {Naturally Sweetened and Oil Free}”

Andrea @ Vegvacious August 11, 2011 at 3:13 pm #

Anything with carrot cake in the title is a winner with this chickapoo! This looks and sounds awesome; I’m thinking some granola-making is going to be squeezed into my weekend plans! Enjoy your “date” tonight!!
Andrea @ Vegvacious´s last blog ..What I Ate Wednesday

[Reply]
Kris Reply:
August 11th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
I know…me an carrot cake melt together…we are one This granola is so healthy and so much fun, you’ll love it!!

Thanks doll!! Wish you were here so we could do a “date”! I will be in Toronto in Sept….you close to there??

xxoo

[Reply]
Cheya August 11, 2011 at 4:00 pm #

Oh my gosh, this has me drooling as I stare longingly at the picture! hahaa! I just happen to have all these ingredients in my pantry so I may have to make a batch this weekend since it must be fate. LOL. YUM!

[Reply]
Kris Reply:
August 11th, 2011 at 6:41 pm
YAY!!! Let me know how you LOVE it!! Super simple!!! This morning I added a bit more raisins to give her some more “carrot cake” feelings

xxoo

[Reply]
Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty August 11, 2011 at 4:04 pm #

Yum!! I love adding carrots and banana!! As soon as my granola is gone, I’m making this for sure! !:)

[Reply]
Kris Reply:
August 11th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
You’ll love it Jess!! Super simple

xxoo

[Reply]
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance August 11, 2011 at 4:20 pm #

This looks great! Angela’s carrot cake buckwheat got my mind stirring as well.
Actually, ANYTHING carrot cake gets my mind stirring Thank you for sharing, Kris!

My favorite granola additive would have to be butterscotch chips. They give it such a unique flavor that is too delicious not to enjoy
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance´s last blog ..Cough Drops = Candy

[Reply]
Kris Reply:
August 11th, 2011 at 6:43 pm
I know!! Angela’s buckweeties has me swooning!!

Butterscotch chips?! You have me drooling!!!

xxoo

[Reply]
lindsay August 11, 2011 at 4:59 pm #

carrot cake is a wonderful flavor! so good in granola I’m sure! have a great diva date!!

[Reply]
Kris Reply:
August 11th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
It is FAB! Thanks Love…wish you were in Vancouver so you could come too, you would love it!!

xxoo

[Reply]
Laury @thefitnessdish August 11, 2011 at 5:21 pm #

Wow. This looks incredible!!! I looove raisins and cinnamon in granola! Nothing like it!!!
Laury @thefitnessdish´s last blog ..Peaches N’ Cream Torte

[Reply]
Kris Reply:
August 11th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
Thanks girl!! Cinnamon is the best part of this recipe!!

How are you?
xxoo

[Reply]
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather August 11, 2011 at 6:32 pm #

So cool that you added carrots to your granola! Love that . Such a treat of a breakfast.

[Reply]
Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie) August 11, 2011 at 9:29 pm #

I’ve never made granola before but it definitely looks delicious. I haven’t had carrot cake in such a long time!

[Reply]
kris Reply:
August 11th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
I swoon for carrot cake…but come’on I won’t eat a real piece….well in the morning at least this granola is the next best thing!

xxoo

[Reply]
Amber Shea @Almost Vegan August 11, 2011 at 9:36 pm #

Oh man, this looks so good…especially with those juicy blackberries!
Amber Shea @Almost Vegan´s last blog ..Blogiversary, announcements, & contests

[Reply]
kris Reply:
August 11th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
It is sooooo tasty Amber!!! You’ll love it!!

xxoo

[Reply]
Alexa @ Simple Eats August 11, 2011 at 9:42 pm #

This looks amazing. It’s callin’ my name! I love adding cranberries to my granola!
Alexa @ Simple Eats´s last blog ..Season’s 52

[Reply]
kris Reply:
August 11th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Oooo Hubba Hubba!!! Cranberries would be ROCKIN’ in here!!

xxoo

[Reply]
Megan August 11, 2011 at 10:06 pm #

Just put this in the oven! Soo excited to try it! Taking it on a beach trip this weekend

[Reply]
kris Reply:
August 11th, 2011 at 11:58 pm
Ooooo!! Let me know how you love it girl!! Do you have all the “Fixings” for it?? Berries, Almond Milk…banana?? SWOON!

xxoo

[Reply]
Amy @ ahealthyandhappyheart August 12, 2011 at 12:24 am #

Yum! I love Carrot Cake (well any cake!) so I bet this granola is divine! I will have to try this soon!
Amy @ ahealthyandhappyheart´s last blog ..Just Thought You Should Know

[Reply]
Tracy @ Commit To FIt August 12, 2011 at 12:40 am #

I was just searching for new ways to make my granola and now I am in love Thanks for sharing!
Tracy @ Commit To FIt´s last blog ..4 Stress-Busting Tips

[Reply]
kris Reply:
August 12th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
LOL, I have been in love all day grazing on this granola

Happy Friday!!
xxoo

[Reply]
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg August 12, 2011 at 12:34 pm #

Ahhh, this would go PERFECTLY with my carrot cookies Yum!!

[Reply]
kris Reply:
August 12th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
I know!! Right?? Your cookies looked to die for!!

xxoo

[Reply]
LizAshlee August 12, 2011 at 12:41 pm #

Kris,

I have been craving carrot cake!! Sounds delicious!!

Happy day!

[Reply]
kris Reply:
August 12th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Doll….this granola is like the healthy version of carrot cake, its mighty tasty and good for you too!! YAY

xxoo

[Reply]
foodaholic August 15, 2011 at 4:52 pm #

looks yummy

[Reply]
Sharon September 2, 2011 at 2:28 am #

I am making this for the first time tonight. The smells are driving me mad!! I may not make it until breakfast to try it for the first time!

[Reply]

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