Great-for-Gifts-or-Snacking Granola

(from Katie Kirtley)

Sweet Little Katie Kirtley shared this recipe with me along with a big thumbs’ up recommendation from her mother-in-love, Olivia, from the Abbies (Our genius friend/entertainer extraordinaire). Katie whipped up a batch of this addictive stuff to take to the Kirtleys on one of her first visits. The story goes Louis ate the entire bag in one sitting. Not sure it was s’posed to shake out like that, but the good news is we now have the recipe!

Katie said this recipe is also great to for making lots of batches, packaging them up nicely for friends at Christmas. Everyone loves to throw this granola on yogurt or sprinkle it on ice cream for dessert! Not a bad thing to have some with you at the movies either…

Katie’s married to Olivia’s oldest son, Chris. They’re blessed with three beautiful children and to look their way, you’d think all is well. Praise the Lord all is well, but ten years ago Katie helped Chris battle cancer and miraculously beat it.

We praise you, Lord.

At the time, she and Olivia were in a Bible study with several of us girls. Katie had quit her job in Washington D.C. to come live with the Kirtleys and help take care of Chris. We knew she was a jewel from that moment on.

Katie’s faith penetrated deep into all of our souls. Katie’s quiver of friends is full, and yet we all call each other dear friend from those fervent prayers-for-Chris days in spite of the fact they’re now living in Chicago.

Katie’s shared many wonderful book recommendations with me over the years. One author we both relish reading is Tim Keller.
Thanks for the fun recipe, Katie!

Give this a try:
Ingredients:
2 cups old-fashioned oats
¾ cup whole almonds, halved
½ cup sweetened flaked coconut (optional)
½ cup halved pecans
¼ cup (packed) brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup (1/2 stick) unsalted BUTTER
3 Tablespoons honey
1 cup (packed) pitted dates, each cut cross-wise into thirds

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

  • Mix first 7 ingredients in a large bowl.

  • Melt BUTTER with honey in small saucepan over low heat. Pour over granola mixture and toss well.

  • Spread out mixture on baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Add dates; mix to separate any clumps.

  • Continue to bake until granola is golden brown, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes longer.

  • Allow to thoroughly cool before packaging for gifts or for yourselves.

You can make this 2 weeks ahead. Store airtight, at room temperature. Enjoy!