Chocolate Granola

This is from the cookbook, “Superfood Cuisine” by Julie Morris.  I’m not a big fan of granola, so I thought this was OK… until I added fresh strawberries.  J  Yum!  If you don’t have goji berries, you can just omit them, but they are very healthy for you.

3 cups rolled oats (if gluten free, use GF oats like Bob’s Red Mill)

¼ cup flaxseed powder/meal

¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes (I omit.  I don’t like coconut.)

2 TB cocoa powder (I used Hershey)

2 TB melted coconut oil

6 TB applesauce (use homemade pear sauce or pear baby food for stage 1)

2 TB agave nectar

1 TB vanilla extract (check for corn syrup and that it’s gluten free)

½ cup soft Medjool dates pits removed (about 5 or 6)

¼ tsp sea salt

½ cup dried goji berries (omit for Feingold Stage 1)

3 TB cacao nibs (I use Navitas Naturals brand from WF or the HFS)

2 (or about 2.2 ounces) dark chocolate bars, chopped finely (I used Enjoy Life dairy free dark chocolate bars)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  In a large bowl, mix together the oats, flaxseed powder, coconut flakes, and cocoa powder.

Using a single serving (small) blender (could use a clean coffee grinder), combine the coconut oil, applesauce, agave, vanilla extract, dates, and salt.  Blend into a puree.  Pour the puree into the bowl with the dry mixture.  Toss to combine thoroughly with the puree, then transfer the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out evenly. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes, taking out 30 minutes through, to flip and mix the granola with a spatula, breaking up the large clumps. 

Remove from oven, and sprinkle with the goji berries, cacao nibs, and chopped dark chocolate.  Loosely toss to distribute the melting chocolate.

Transfer temporarily to the fridge to allow the chocolate to harden.  Will last 2-3 weeks in a sealed container.   

Feingold Stage 2

For more info on the Feingold Diet, check out my new book, "All Natural Mom's Guide to the Feingold Diet - A Natural Approach to ADHD" available now on Amazon!