Do you remember the time I introduced you to that which makes my heart flutter? Surely you do. I’m talking about the tall, dark, and handsome granola of your dreams: my Spiced Fig, Pepita, and Molasses Granola. (You can find that recipe here.)
Today’s granola is a bit different. Today’s granola is more like your best friend.
Like the boy in kindergarten, who got mad at you for choosing to be an angel in the school Christmas play rather than one of the Three Wise Men with him.
Or the girl throughout primary school, with whom you spent three afternoons a week, had sleepovers with almost every Friday, and who let you be bossy most of the time so long as she got to voice the female (not male, ‘cause, well, cooties) Barbies in all of your games.
Or the girl in Grade 8, who picked up the heart-shaped rock you’d found then thrown away, promising she’d give it back to you when you fell in love, and who, two years later, handed you the rock in a little box when a boy took you on your first date. (Truly, she should have kept that rock a little longer. That romance lasted… not very long. Actually, she should probably still have the blimmin’ rock.)
Ultimately, that’s why this granola is like a best friend. It’s sweet without being cloying, good for you even when you don’t realise it (…that would be the prunes), a little bit nutty to keep things fun, perfect on its own or in a group (with yoghurt, ice cream, or fruit) and, lastly, it spices things up.
So, go on. Make a new friend.
Maple Almond Cranberry Best Friend Granola
Adapted from this recipe at Two Peas and Their Pod
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1/4 cup “Gentle Fibre Mix” (this is a mix of oatbran, linseeds, psyllium husks and psyllium seeds, from Woolworths)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/3 tsp ground allspice
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tb canola oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3/4 cup prunes, chopped
- 1/4 cup craisins
- Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F). In a large bowl, mix together the oats, almonds, fibre mix, and spices.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, canola oil, and vanilla. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Spread the mixture out on a lightly oiled baking sheet or tray. Bake for about 15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Add the prunes and craisins and bake for another 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool, during which time the granola will crisp up even more. Of course, I can hardly blame you if you choose to nibble some of this granola while it’s still hot. After all, you wouldn’t want to let your best friend feel unappreciated, right?
Question Time: What memories do you have of your childhood best friend/s?
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
I want a friend like this! Please please please!
I’ll be your friend like this!
This looks seriously fabulous. That, a bowl of yogurt and some quiet time in a nook with a book and I’d be the HAPPIEST of campers.
Oh, you’re so right! This would be perfect with yoghurt and a cozy nook/book
Clearly you’re my kinda person!
This looks fabulous. I’ve totally ODed on granola the past few days. So, so ridiculously good.
)
(also? your pictures make me happy because I always eat my granola/muesli/cereal/whatever out of a mug/teacup
My first best friend I met as a toddler (and he liked me despite the Down Sydrome! :p). His name was Jonathan and he lived down the street from me. He was Chinese and I was fascinated by his tanned skin and dark glossy hair. I couldn’t properly say his name, and called him ‘Doddoo with the bootiful golden brown skin.’
I have such a wonderfully clear memory of my 5th birthday party – two guests! Doddoo and my other best friend, Loredana (who I just discovered is now a model!). This was when I lived in Melbourne and mum and dad took us out to the city at night (EEE EXCITING!!). We went to McDonalds (EEEEE EVEN MORE EXCITING!!) for Happy Meals and walked around the city and went to a park to feed possums. And there were fairy lights in the trees and me and Loredana were wearing our best party dresses and it all seemed to incredibly grown up and magical
… no granola, though
I never eat my granola out of a mug… but I do take photos of it in mugs! And might soon start eating it that way too, if it’s working so well for you
There’s no way your Down Syndrome would ever prevent people liking you. Then or now.
Thank you for the lovely friend stories! I remember those days of having McDonalds on birthdays as a treat. I never got to have a party at McDonalds like some kids did, though…
Oh, thanks for sharing! The granola looks divine. I love maple. And cranberries. And almonds….you get the idea.
Will take the recipe with me when I go to LA to visit granola-loving-grad-school friend for Thanksgiving. 
You’re more than welcome! I think I still like my molasses granola better for its smoky intensity, but this one just plays so well with others
But oh, I’m so envious of you celebrating Thanksgiving! Please have a few bites of pecan and pumpkin pie for me 
Hannah I LOVE this!! Yum! Such sweet, clever words. I totally want to make this granola my new bff.
Heidi xo
Thank you so much, Heidi! This granola would makea good bf but maybe not bff… it’s not very good at giving advice when you’re feeling stressed out
I don’t need a new friend. I have you.
Okay, that was WAY too corny, and I can’t leave it at that! So, here’s a joke for you: What do you call a cow that just gave birth to a calf?
“Decafinated.” Ahahaha.
Agnes… heart. I don’t care if that was corny; I was feeling mopey yesterday and your comment made me inflate like a balloon
Now, the joke… did you by any chance mean “decalfinated”? Or is it really decafinated, and I’m just missing something
Hehee, oh lord, my joke was a fail! Yes, I did mean decalfinated. I’m glad I made you inflate like a balloon, but if the condition persists, please see your doctor.
xx
Oh don’t worry, I more than capable of popping myself.
Oh lord. That sounds SO WRONG.
My best friend in middle school used to write me 30-page letters, just for fun. We had a great system for telling each other who we had a crush on without anyone else knowing. And we followed the Top 40 with an almost religious fervor. We did not eat granola for breakfast, but she made mean popovers.
Ah, the note-writing years! In high school (which would be mostly middle school for you) I had a few friends with whom I constantly traded notes too. I don’t think we ever reached 30 pages, though. That’s insanely impressive! Mmmm… popovers. I think I know what they are
oh if I had that granola, it would never leave my side
Until it reached your INsides, right?
You are such a good writer! i loved the heat rock mini story!
Thank you so much, Julia. You have no idea how happy that makes me
“Gentle Fibre Mix” makes me wonder about the other mix options there may be… is there a Ravaging Fibre Mix? A This-Hurts-Me-More-Than-It-Hurts-You Fibre Mix?
I’d like to take this granola out to the movies and a slice of cake afterwards and tell it all my secrets.
Oooh, brain storm! What would be in a Ravaging Fibre Mix, do you think? Toilet-brush bristles, all bran mixed with raw brussels sprouts (which I’ve eaten separately with pleasure), and wood shavings, I think.
Onto your second comment… make sure you pinky swear to keep everything secret first!
Finished off with a splash of drano?
By golly I think we’ve nailed it!
Do you want to call Woollies or will I?
You do Woolies, I’ll do Coles. Together, we’ll make this happen.
Man you are really making me want to get my granola on lately!! Must make time… maybe that can be a great xmas gift!
My best childhood memory… i dunno, but I have a fond one of me and one of my oldest friend sitting at my dining table, eating packet chips, and laughing so hard over something we forgot how to breathe! We were only wee tackers then, but it’s a good memory that always brings a smile to my face!
x
Thank you for the memory! Laughing so hard that you cry/can’t breathe is oddly one of the best feelings in the world. I’ve had that many times in the past month with my mum, and you’re right – it’s so wonderful to remember
And yes, granola would make a great Christmas gift… for ourselves
I think the heart in a box was a sweet gesture for your first date! Just shows that sometimes best friends are more constant than that tall dark handsome stranger – and I suspect I could eat this muesli more regularly than the previous muesli – I love prunes and craisins and I really need to use up some psyllium husk
Honestly, I need to make more granola to keep using up the psyllium mix!! I bought it for oatmeal but it does unpleasant things to the texture, in my opinion… And yes, there is definitely something to be said for the constancy of wonderful friends
Wow, this sounds delicious and I can’t wait to try it out. I’m bookmarking it now.
Thanks so much for your kind comments. It’s been a funny few months but things are on the up
Hope you’re well xoxoxox
Thank you Sarah, I have had a nice day to make up for some less-than-stellar ones this week!
And do try this, but if you do please try the molasses one as well! The molasses one is by far my favourite 
So glad to hear things are looking up for you!
Awwwhhh, even though I don’t like Granola too much….. I so want a friend like that
Nice pics though.
A real friend as opposed to a granola friend is probably best in the long run anyway
Are you putting together some sort of granola-based social world? I mean, I’ll totally support you in your endeavour, but I just think it might be difficult when you get to, say, aunt you never see but who always posts TMI Facebook status updates granola, or friend-of-a-friend who always stops to talk to you and as they talk they use your name a lot but you can’t reciprocate because you’ve completely forgotten their name and now it’s too awkward to ask granola.
Don’t tempt me, Jess. The older relative posting TMI Facebook granola would have to include poppyseeds that get stuck in one’s teeth, lavender for that musky smell, and cough syrup. And I really don’t think that would end up tasting nice.
My first attempt at homemade granola was with grape molasses and I found it seriously addictive!! This one is no exception I can see!
My childhood best friend, too long ago to care or remember! (sorry, I can tell you about other friends!)
My favourite homemade granola is still my molasses one too
And now-friends are just as lovely as childhood friends, in all honesty! 
I love a great granola recipe. And this is a good’ un
Thanks Cherrie! I do love me some granola
Hannah that is the sweetest post! I love cute little stories like that … with a recipe ending
Aw, thank you Alisa
Means a lot!
“Gentle fibre mix”? ::snicker::
Actually though, I adore prunes. I like to say they’re “fruit snacks for grown ups.” And since my body tolerates up to 80g of fiber a day (sometimes more!) without so much as a blink, they’ve never had “that effect” on me.
I have such a photographic memory that I could pretty much narrate most of my childhood to you…which would take days. I’ll spare you.
I’ve always liked prunes
Grew up eating them! Also, like you, I’ve never had a problem with “too much fibre”. Bring on the raw veggies, flaxmeal, legumes, and oatbran! 
I don’t want you to spare me forever… just until we meet and you can spend days telling me stories
This sounds delicious Hannah. I’m working on another muesli too. The first batch was ok, but needs some tweaking. Am going to try and get to it this weekend again, to try and perfect it.
Oh fantastic! I’ve already finished this lot and have no more homemade muesli/granola on hand. I’ll be looking forward to stealing ideas from your new recipe
Made this during a visit with my own best friend in LA. We loved it…and it brought rave reviews from her granola-expert boyfriend. Thanks!!!
Oh, I’m so so so pleased! This has made my day
Thank you!