Do you know what heaven smells like? I imagine that it's similar to what my house smelled like after making this cashew caramel corn granola.
Every year, at Christmas time, Chris's grandmother would make cashew caramel corn. Chris looked forward to it every year, and even when he got older, she still made it for him every year. When she wasn't able to make it in time for the holiday, she would make it soon after and mail him a package of it. Chris received such a package after our first Christmas together and let me tell you, that stuff is magic. It's the stuff dreams are made of. I think Chris and I ate most of the bag for dinner one night. And the rest for breakfast the next morning.
Recently, while shopping for cereal, I noticed a bag of puffed corn amongst the bags of puffed millet and kamut that I usually use for granola. I instantly thought of grandma's caramel corn and knew that I needed to try a granola version.
I added some rolled oats and crispy brown rice cereal to the mix, along with cashews and some flax seeds. Inspired by the caramel filling in these truffles, I whipped up a batch of salty date-based caramel to add to the dry ingredients. As I mentioned earlier, my house has never smelled better than when this granola was in the oven.
The result is an incredibly tasty and dangerously addictive granola that tastes like a mixture of caramel corn and one of my favorite childhood cereals. Chris loved it (I say "loved" because there is no more left- it lasted 2 days) in a bowl with some almond milk as his breakfast each morning (two mornings). I loved it too, but I mostly enjoyed it by the handful every time I passed the pantry.
Chris's grandmother hasn't been able to make her famous cashew caramel corn the last couple years (it's understandable as she's in her 90's and has more important things to do these days) and now that we're vegan, I doubt that we'd be able to have any. I keep meaning to ask for the recipe but it keeps slipping my mind. I have a feeling, though, that this granola will tide us over until I can veganize the original recipe.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups puffed corn
- 1 cup rolled oats (use gluten-free, if necessary)
- 1 cup crisp brown rice cereal
- 2/3 cup chopped cashews
- 1/4 cup flax seeds
- 10 dates, soaked in water for at least 1 hour, seeds removed
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon brown rice syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. Set aside.
- Place the dates in the bowl of your food processor and pulse until broken up. Add the almond milk and process until smooth, scraping the sides as necessary). Add the coconut oil, brown rice syrup, and sea salt and puree until smooth.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until combined. Spread the granola out over the two baking sheets, trying to "squish" the granola together as much as possible (so it's not spread out all over the sheet).
- Bake the granola for 35 minutes, switching shelves for each sheet (i.e. placing the sheet from the top shelf on the lower shelf and vice versa) once halfway through. Once done, let cool completely before transferring to an air-tight container. Enjoy!
Caitlin
the first thing i thought when i saw the first picture was CORN POPS! omigosh, if i were to allow myself to eat them, even today, i'm sure i'd eat the entire box in one sitting. this is probably the most craveable and addictive granola i've ever seen. i don't blame chris, i'd eat this entire batch within two days, too.
keepinitkind
Thank you, Caitlin! It tastes SO MUCH like Corn Pops! But better. It's definitely my favorite granola to date. 🙂
Maria Tadic
You can always tell how good your recipes are by how fast the husband eats it! 48 hours or less is a "super hit" in this house! Can't wait to try this granola - I love caramel corn!!!
keepinitkind
Isn't that the truth! And if he cleans his plate in under ten minutes- it's a winner! 🙂
Brittany
This is perfect. WAY better than the kettle corn people sell on the side of the road. Obviously though ahah. I love this recipe!
keepinitkind
Thanks, Britt! 🙂
Maria
This looks so good! I think I'll have to make a triple batch so there's enough for me. My 3 boys would devour it!
keepinitkind
That's probably a good idea! 🙂
Somer
I think I can smell that from here! Oh YUM!
keepinitkind
Oh, it's sooooo good! 🙂
Richa
i love salted caramel period.. anything with those 2 in together, i will eat by the bowlfulls.
i can imagine why this did not last more than 2 days:)
keepinitkind
Me too. Salted caramel is magic. 😉
Jamie | Thrifty Veggie Mama
This looks amazing! I don't know if I've ever seen puffed corn. Can you find it in the same place you would find puffed rice cereal?
keepinitkind
Thank you, Jamie! And yes- that's exactly where I found mine. 🙂
Laura
OH MAN! I used to make these squares (not vegan) that had all of these flavours. They had a shortbread kind of crust and a solid layer of caramel that was studded with salted cashews and popcorn. They were ridiculous and everyone always freaked out when I brought them to parties. Your granola is the perfect vegan, more health-supporting answer to my cravings for them. Brilliant! 🙂
keepinitkind
Laura! Those bars you are describing sound INSANE! I would probably go crazy over them at a party too! 🙂
Gabby @ the veggie nook
This looks and sounds a little TOO delicious. Healthy caramel corn that I could justify eating for breakfast- it can't be true! 😉
keepinitkind
It is soooo very true, Gabby! 🙂
Melissa @ My Whole Food Life
OMG this looks amazing! I can't wait to try it. Glad I stumbled upon your blog. 🙂
keepinitkind
Thank you, Melissa! 🙂
Cadry
That's so sweet that Chris' grandma would mail him the caramel corn when she couldn't make it in time. I'm sure that was so special to him. Your version sounds fantastic. With the delightful flavors of caramel corn, Chris must have felt like he was diving into a deliciously decadent breakfast!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Cadry! You've never met a sweeter woman than Chris's grandmother. Hope is an absolute saint. 🙂
Courtney @ The Fig Tree
Oh wow....salted caramel corn granola!? Sounds amazing!!!!
keepinitkind
Thank you- I would have to say it is! 😉
heather
How do I keep nodding your posts! I better check to make sure I didn't fall off the list 🙁 this looks incredible, growing up I loved captain crunch SO GOOD! Chris 's gram sounds like a sweetheart 🙂
keepinitkind
Hmmmm. That's so weird. Did you try resubscribing?
I only ever had Captain Crunch at my friend's house. And I quite liked it. I was also a pretty big fan of Cookie Crisp. 🙂
Hailey
This recipe looked so yummy, so I bookmarked it and finally got around to making it today. It tastes delicious, but is a little soggy, if you know what I mean. It doesn't have much crunch to it. Should I just try baking it longer?
keepinitkind
It may need to be baked longer, but I find that usually the sogginess comes from not letting it cool completely before storing it. I let it sit out for a good 30-60 minutes before I store it. I hope that helps!
Sarah
I'M LICKING THE BLENDER! Just this caramel is good enough to go on top of a cake! I added some vanilla extract and it's just right 🙂