Chocolate Peanut Butter Cherry Baked Granola Cereal -- Vegan

Submitted by TheNibbleNook

"Some of my favorite flavors together in one yummy breakfast cereal or snacking treat!"

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Yields: 10 1/2 cup servings
• Serves: 10

ingredients

• 3 cups instant oats (see note)
• 1⁄3 cup unsweetened cocoa (I prefer Hersheyà s Special Dark)
• 1⁄2 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 cup peanut butter, smooth
• 2⁄3 cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup dried cherries

directions

1. NOTE: If you only have rolled oats, you can make them instant by pulsing them in a food processor or blender until coarsely chopped.
2. Pre-heat oven to 325ºF. Place a rack in the middle of the oven. Line a 12” x 17” metal cookie sheet with parchment. Not recommended for glass bake-ware.
3. In a large bowl, mix together instant oats, cocoa, chopped nuts, salt, and cinnamon.
4. In a microwave-safe cup, warm peanut butter for 20 seconds.
5. In a small bowl, stir together warmed peanut butter, maple syrup, and extract. The cherries will be added after the granola has baked.
6. Add the peanut butter mix to the oat mix and stir until well combined. Place the mixture onto the parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes stirring at least once mid bake. Because the cocoa makes it hard to tell when the oats are “toasty”, I wouldn’t bake more than 35 minutes.
8. When the granola is done, remove the pan to a cooling rack. Let the granola completely cool on the pan. When cooled, mix in the dried cherries. Store in an airtight container.
9. The granola will continue to harden and intensify in flavor over the next 8 hours. Don’t worry that the granola doesn’t taste too sweet or crunchy right out of the oven or immediately after cooling.