Dark Chocolate Raspberry Granola Recipe

I made some of the most decadent, delicious granola, but it’s still pretty darn healthy.  I’m loving having it for breakfast and maybe a little snacking here and there, too.  It won’t last long, but you can be sure I’ll be making this Dark Chocolate Raspberry Granola again soon!

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Granola, by Katrina, Baking and Boys!

4  1/2 cups old fashioned oats

1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut*

1/4 raw sunflower seeds

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup flaxseed meal

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 cup dark cocoa powder (I used Hershey’s Dark)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup canola oil

1/4 cup honey (or agave nectar)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 ounces good quality dark chocolate, chopped

3/4 cup freeze-dried raspberries**

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, coconut, sunflower seeds, almonds, flaxseed meal, salt, cocoa powder and brown sugar.  Mix well.  In a medium sized microwaveable bowl, combine the oil and honey.   Microwave for about 30 seconds.  Whisk until well combined.  Add the vanilla and combine.  Pour over the dry ingredients and stir well until all is coated.  Spread evenly on the baking sheet.  Bake for about 22 minutes.  Remove from oven and don’t mix the granola.  Let cool completely.  Break into pieces.  Add the chopped dark chocolate and freeze-dried raspberries.  Store in an airtight container.

*If you don’t like coconut, don’t add it.  You could add a little more oats, or another nut if you’d like to replace it.

**If you don’t have or can’t find freeze-dried raspberries, some dried tart cherries or even dried cranberries would be good! 

Every morning for breakfast I have plain Greek yogurt (mixed with a little Dannon Light & Fit Vanilla Yogurt—I just can’t quite do plain Greek), but with this granola on top, it is the bomb!  The freeze-dried raspberries have a great light crisp texture and a perfect bit of tart to go with the chocolate.  The granola itself is not too sweet at all, in fact I like that it isn’t. 

**I have one of these large cans of freeze-dried raspberries, they are a little expensive, but the can is large and lasts a while and they are so good and healthy, it’s worth it.  The website, Honeyville Grain also has some smaller bags, too.  Freeze Dried Raspberries from Honeyville Grain.  One thing I love about Honeyville is that their shipping is always $4.49 no matter how much you order in weight.  I ordered a 50 pound bag of whole wheat pastry flour from them and it only cost $4.49 in shipping!  Check out all the products they have!