It all started with a typical weekend shopping trip to Costco where I discovered a delicious and highly addicting snack called Granola Clusters. You can find them in the Bakery section where they are sitting innocently on a table just waiting for unsuspecting passersby to put them in their cart. Little do these people know what will become of them once they decide to let these little morsels into their lives! Suddenly they become like Gollum in Lord of the Rings with their “precious” granola snack!
I admit, I succumbed to the lure of the clusters and became ensnared in their powerful allure! I became obsessed with the idea of replicating them in my own kitchen so I wouldn’t risk running out! (After all, Costco is a good 30 minute drive from my house! What if I ran out and I couldn’t get to Costco right away? I couldn’t take that chance!) So I spent a good deal of the afternoon and evening on Monday trying to create my own version of this evil concoction.
The fact that I couldn’t find any recipes online that were even remotely like this stuff should have been a warning — this stuff should not be replicated! It’s much too addicting and in the wrong hands it could be dangerous. But I ignored all the red flags and carelessly pressed on in my desperate pursuit to make my own “homemade” crack, errrr, clusters!
Eventually I found a recipe that claimed to result in “granola clusters” but maybe I was too far gone in my addiction at this point, because the recipe did NOT turn out how I had hoped! I wasn’t looking for subtle clustering of the granola, I needed big, chunky, chewy, satisfying clusters! Thankfully, I still had enough presence of mind to make some changes to the recipe that resulted in what I think is actually better than the original! Boy oh boy did I luck out on this one! ;-)
Of course it still should have a warning label because it’s still as addicting as sin, but at least it’s homemade! ;-) (And yes, I AM eating it like candy as I type this post! Don’t judge me!) ;-)
Granola Clusters
Adapted from The Traveler’s Lunchbox
Ingredients
- 1 lb quick oats (I used gluten-free)
- 3 cups coarsely chopped raw nuts and/or seeds (I used 2 cups whole, roasted almonds and 1 cup sunflower seeds)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cups dried fruit (I used 1 cup raisins, 1 cup cranberries)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, coffee grinder or blender, grind half the oats to a fine powder (this apparently is KEY when making clusters! Helps make the granola hold together better).
In a large bowl, combine the whole oats, ground oats, nuts, spices, and dried fruit.
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, honey, butter, maple syrup and water and heat until the mixture starts to bubble. Stir in the salt and vanilla.
Pour this over the oats and nuts, stirring well to coat.
It should be moist – stir in another tablespoon or two of water if it isn’t. Let stand for about ten minutes.
Spread the mixture out on a large baking sheet and firmly press it down until it is packed nicely into the pan.
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Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven, let cool, then gently break up the mixture into medium-sized clumps. Now put BACK in the oven for another 15 to 20 minutes.
When the granola comes out of the oven it should be nice and golden brown, extra crunchy on the outside and just slightly soft and chewy on the inside. Let cool completely then break it up into clusters and store in a covered container at room temperature.
If you like snacking on granola you simply have to try these. Oh, and don’t worry — I can stop anytime I want to! ;-)
Granola Clusters
Ingredients
- 1 lb quick oats I used gluten-free
- 3 cups coarsely chopped raw nuts and/or seeds I used 2 cups whole, roasted almonds and 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cups dried fruit I used 1 cup raisins, 1 cup cranberries
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 cup 2 sticks butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, coffee grinder or blender, grind half the oats to a fine powder
- In a large bowl, combine the whole oats, ground oats, nuts, spices, and dried fruit.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, honey, butter, maple syrup and water and heat until the mixture starts to bubble. Stir in the salt and vanilla.
- Pour this over the oats and nuts, stirring well to coat.
- It should be moist – stir in another tablespoon or two of water if it isn’t. Let stand for about ten minutes.
- Spread the mixture out on a large baking sheet and FIRMLY PRESS IT DOWN until it is packed nicely into the pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven, let cool, then gently break up the mixture into medium-sized clumps. Now put BACK in the oven for another 15 to 20 minutes.
- When the granola comes out of the oven it should be nice and golden brown, extra crunchy on the outside and just slightly soft and chewy on the inside. Let cool completely then break it up into clusters and store in a covered container at room temperature.
Nutrition
Ohhhhhh; you don’t know how ecstatic I am to have found this blog post on Pinterest! You see, I too, am a Costco granola cluster addict….I find it almost impossible to pass by them and not throw some in my cart. I was literally looking for a recipe that was close to the tasty goodness of Costco’s concoction and none if the recipes I found were even close. I’m not that great of a recipe inventor, more of a recipe follower….THANK YOU…for doing the hard part! I’m making this this weekend!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This was SOOO good the first time I made it–a little labor intensive ( a lot!!) but I made it again tonight! I used a little less butter, and a little more oatmeal, and ground up less of the oatmeal. We will see–it’s cooling on the counter right now!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just made these last week, and you don’t have to double bake it. Mine actually burned by baking it twice =( still yummy though! I’m making some as mothers’ day gifts this week. I plan on baking them like any other granola: low temperature (maybe 250) and turning it every 15 minutes – lots of work, but sooo worth it! I’ll post when I do this for the second time. Oh, and I just added a bit of honey and maple syrup just before I put it in the oven, the first time =)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I was wondering if there has been an update on these granola clusters. If there’s a new or different way to make these without the double baking.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Good granola – everyone liked it. I used pecans, almonds, dried bing cherries, raisins and dried cranberries with the other ingredients listed. Also, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. Good stuff. Next time, I’m going to use sorghum instead of the honey and maple syrup. It’s a little different taste, but works well on popcorn balls, so it’ll work great for the granola. Probably skip the muffin tins and pat it out on a cookie sheet as suggested by some of the others. Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you Jillie, I love all of your posts! I can’t wait for your book, that will cut down on writing and printing all of your great info:)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.For Ester, Thank you so much for your son’s service and for the family that loves him!
Our son is also a marine and was in Afghanistan. I tried lots and lots of recipes to send him something from home and nothing made it very well. I finally started sending pre-packaged treats and they were fine.FYI The Kraft CO used to donate all types of snacks to service members, I didn’t find out about it in time to try, but you may be able to get some info to try it. If you google Kraft, I think that you might be able to get the information from that. Sure beats all of those many boxes of treats! tried to send enough for his men, some of them didn’t receive many care pkgs:)
I can’t wait to try this recipe, I am off to get some cranberries :)
Thanks again!!!
Was wondering if you could use coconut oil instead of butter, use honey & maple syrup instead of using the brown sugar?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks, they sound just yummy, you can add so many nuts or seeds & dried fruits to change it up.
Sandra
I bet those substitutions would work!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I too have wanted to make my own granola clusters as I find Costco’s rather expensive. Here is an easier recipe I adapted from “Earthbound Cook” by Myra Goodman that is quite good also (& has no butter or oil). You can make it with many different nuts and/or dried fruits.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.2 c. old fashioned oats
1 c. shredded unsweetened coconut (I use the flaked unsweetened)
1 c. chopped walnuts (have used pecans and almonds also)
2/3 c. dried cranberries (or raisins, etc.)
3/4 c. sweetened condensed milk
Spread on parchment lined cookie sheet & bake 45-55 min. at 275. Let cool completely on cookie sheet on a wire rack (if you can!). Break into pieces & enjoy!! EASY & DELISH! The original recipe also had 2/3 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger & the grated zest of 1 orange (which I did not care for but some may). I usually add more oats & nuts to use up the can of sweetened cond. milk:)
Judi, I’m trying your recipe. I had all the ingredients, just a little short on the coconut. It sounds so much easier!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh my goodness! This is delish! and oh so easy. Sweet but not too sweet, just right! You were right, I couldn’t wait till it cooled. I munched on it all evening. This recipe is a keeper. Thanks, Judi!
Is there anything I could substitute for the condensed milk – lactose intolerant. Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My son is a Marine currently deployed to Afghanistan. I’ve been looking for a recipe like this to send him for a long time. Two questions I have are: can I substitute Butter Flavor Crisco for the butter and what is the shelf live for these? I can’t send him anything with butter because they have no refrigeration and it takes 12 days to 2 weeks for him to get packages I send.
Thanks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.THANKS so much for sharing! I can’t keep enough of it around! It’s become a favorite snack here! On our fourth batch. Course chopped the almonds, makes the bites more manageable. The first two times I made this it browned too much, almost burned. So, I waited to add the furit till the second bake and cut down sugar and all that fat. I cut the brown sugar down to 2/3 of a cup for the first bake. I cut the butter in half on the second bake I also used half as much honey as it called for (that’s expensive) and only a couple T of corn syrup. Baked it in a 9×13 loosely for first bake, then back in same 9×13 for second bake, but pressed in as making bars. When almost cool I broke it into the chunks. Very very good and easier then all those muffin tins!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.OMGoodness…this is better than awesome!!!! I feel like I need to hide the jar from myself…lol! I let the granola cool completely in the pan and was able to break it into pieces without a problem. I tried to break it apart while it was hot at first and it did crumble (and those crumbles have made a tasty addition to my yogurt!).
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just wanted to let you know I made these on Saturday! They turned out wonderful! I didn’t have enough syrup so I used light karo instead and it worked great. Also, I didn’t a batch in the muffin pan and then pressed the rest into my large cookie sheet. I slightly scored the top before putting them back in the oven to make it easier to break apart when they came out. So now we have the clusters and the bars, well kinda bar shaped. The family loves them and so do I. Thank you for the great recipe!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I made these tonight and they are so delicious… my husband didn’t want me to do the second step but I needed to try it so we can decide which way will be better next time, which will be very soon.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Will not do the last step next time… first step was mighty delish. Second step a little too sweet and over cooked
Please log in or create a free account to comment.These sound wonderful except for the maple syrup, can’t stand the flavor! Would love suggestions for substitutions.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.honey or karo syrup
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Agave.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I made this today.. did it Exactly, as stated..I didn’t want to take the chance of it not working by adding all ingredients at the beginning..Once cooled, the clumps were perfect! ..I also added 1/2 cup of flax seeds, and next time I will also add Chia seeds…I coarsely chopped the almonds and added raw sunflower seeds…My husband and I couldn’t stop eating it!!…It’s seriously GOOD!…I think I will try some of the alternatives mentioned here…to cut down on the sugar and butter next time….but I will definitely stick to the twice baked method, as the consistency is perfect!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.On my second batch! soooooo good!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I haven’t made this yet but for some reason I kept thinking about it all day today. I HAVE to make this soon!!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just finished trying this recipe…have got to put final product under lock and key and give key to son. A few things I tried that others mentioned wanting to do: I stuck to recipe until the final mixture of gooey ingredients that would help give the sticky factor. Decided to try using CANOLA OIL instead of butter (1/3 cup), AGAVE SYRUP instead of honey(1/2 cup) and MAPLE SYRUP(1/3 cup) . Proceeded as recipe said and had a lovely crispy outside with soft inside. NOT saying they came out of cupcake pans in nice clumps and stayed that way, mainly because of my lack of patience in throwing them in the container! But they could be molded or formed into clumps. Am experimenting with one batch and letting them stay in tins and cool completely to see if they will stay together. One other thing I did add was chia seeds for those of you looking to try these little healthfood gems . In conclusion, what I will do differently next time is cut back on my input of sugar on the front end, (the brown sugar) knowing I will be doing that final coating of sugar and see how that tastes. Just a thought for those trying to be a little more conscious of their sugar intake. Hope this helps someone!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Your post just cracked me UP this morning! These look and sound scrumptious!! I will be making them. I’m thinking I’d better make double batch; some for my secret stash & some for the family.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does anyone else do that, have a secret stash of goodies…I wonder?!!! Giggle Hey–a girl never knows when she NEEDS something yummy in emergency!
I made this today, adding the extra ingredients into the mixture to be cooked. The problem with it was I think it had too much sugar because it just got dark fairly quickly. I would probably lower my oven temp if I made it again, or I would do it the way Jillee did it and do a second baking with the extra ingredients. I did get clumps but also a lot of loose granola, I did it on cookie sheets with parchment paper because I only have one mini muffin tin and I didn’t want to do this in 3 or 4 batches.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.:( ok I tried this recipe and I was left with a dry cereal type granola mixture, very tasty Bo
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ut far from clumps, I added the extra ingredients with the others and baked do u think that could b what went wrong?
That’s probably your problem. I used the extra ingredients to form it into the clumps.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can we say YUMMY
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Aunt Jill these were so good! Maya and Tristan were fighting over that little snack baggie you gave Tristan. They consumed them pretty quick! Now I need to make some Nate would LOVE these! Thanks again for sharing!
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