This Carrot Cake Granola is loaded with all the ingredients from the classic cake recipe. This dessert for breakfast never disappoints!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Diamond of California Nuts. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make The Beach House Kitchen possible.
New Year’s resolutions. Anyone? Still going strong, or have you aborted the mission?
Growing up, my dad would always go around the table on New Year’s Day, over a feast of pork roast and sauerkraut for good luck, and ask each one of us what our resolution would be for the new year. I’d quickly make something up, and most of the time forget what it was by the end of January.
Well, it’s the end of January guys (which I can’t really even believe), and although I don’t have a specific resolution set in stone for 2018, I’ve been trying to eat healthier and hit the gym a few more days a week than usual. And believe it or not, it’s working. Woot woot!
One of my favorite breakfasts when I’m trying to eat a bit healthier has always been yogurt, fresh fruit and granola. And so as not to get in a boring breakfast rut, I change up the fruit and granola flavors quite often. This Carrot Cake Granola is my new favorite. It’s got all the ingredients you’d find in the classic carrot cake tossed up in an incredibly tasty granola. Nothing beats dessert for breakfast in my book!
I’m super excited to share this Carrot Cake Granola with you guys, not only because it’s delicious, but because it’s in partnership with my friends at Diamond of California Nuts as part of their #MadeForHomemade campaign! I’ve been a fan of Diamond Nuts for years. I use their nuts in all kinds of recipes here at the BHK. I’m absolutely thrilled to get a chance to work with them in 2018, and share some fabulous recipes with you folks using their nuts.
When you purchase a bag of Diamond of California nuts at your local grocery store, you’re not just buying the best nuts, you’re helping to support a collective of farmers who have been proudly growing them for generations. Diamond’s commitment to their growers and their grower’s commitment to cultivating the highest-quality nuts is what makes them a company I admire and want to support.
So this yummy Carrot Cake Granola. #1 it’s soooo incredibly easy to make, #2 makes a nice big batch, so you’ll be able to enjoy it for days, and #3 it works double duty as a breakfast or perfect as an afternoon snack. It’s a mixture of old fashioned oats, Diamond pecan halves, Diamond shelled walnuts, coconut flakes, shredded carrots which have been squeezed dry to get rid of excess moisture, golden raisins, dried pineapple, a large dose of cinnamon and a mixture of maple syrup, molasses, coconut oil, brown sugar and vanilla to hold it all together.
Just spread it on a large baking sheet and bake, and in about 30 minutes your kitchen will smell amazing, and you’ll be enjoying a healthier version of the classic cake for days. Enjoy!
Carrot Cake Granola
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup Diamond pecan halves
- 1 cup Diamond shelled walnuts, roughly chopped
- 1/2 coconut flakes
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil. melted
- 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
- 3 Tbsp. light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 cup shredded carrots, squeezed dry
- 3/4 cup golden raisins
- 3/4 cup dried pineapple chunks, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine first six ingredients together in a large bowl.
- In a microwave safe bowl combine maple syrup, coconut oil and molasses. Microwave for about one minute . Remove from the microwave and whisk until all the ingredients are smooth. Gently stir in the brown sugar and the vanilla. Pour over the oat mixture and mix until well moistened. Mix in shredded carrots that you've squeezed dry in a paper towel..
- Spread onto the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool to room temperature for at least an hour or more without stirring. If you don't stir you will have nice big clumps. I like to let mine cool overnight on the tray so it crisps up really well. Once cooled, stir in the golden raisins and the pineapple. Store in airtight container for five days.
This granola is just dreamy!
Thanks Alida! Who can pass up all the ingredients from yummy carrot cake wrapped up in a granola for breakfast? Not me!
LOL!! It’s so true most people basically forget they even made a resolution for the new year by the end of January! I’m happy to hear you didn’t abandon yours, Mare! I don’t make resolutions anymore, I just set goals, and so far I’d say I’m doing okay. ;) Anyways, this granola is BRILLIANT! I like my granola on the fancy side (lol), so this is totally up my alley! I adore carrot cake, and carrot cake granola sounds like the cats meow!! Pinning!!! Cheers, doll!
You’d love this granola then Chey! It’s definitely on the fancy side. Loaded with all the good stuff!! Have an awesome week and thanks for pinning!
I made granola just yesterday so hubby and I could enjoy throughout the week with yogurt for quick snacks. Next time, I’m making this one. I can practically smell it now! And I totally agree that dessert for breakfast would be awesome ;) Pinned! Have a lovely week! XOXO
I love making granola Dawn! It’s such a great snack and breakfast. Tom and I both love it!
Carrot cake always sounds good to me but this is a much healthier way to enjoy it! Thanks Mary Ann!
Sure Chris! Hope you give it a try!
I would love to sit down to a bowl of this any time of day! Love granola for a filling, healthy snack anytime :)
Yes, it’s always so satisfying Jennifer! One of my favorite ways to enjoy breakfast! Happy Monday!
This looks amazing and healthy and delicious! I love that you have bits of carrots in there too. When I first read the title I thought, carrot cake seasonings! This looks like a granola I would love!
I hope you give it a go Kathy! Perfect for snacking while you’re at school. Have a wonderful week!
Finally a carrot cake I can eat everyday without feeling guilty! I love homemade granola! I could eat this by the handful! :)
Yes! Me too Annie!
This is so genius! Nothing beats dessert for breakfast
Lol! Dessert for breakfast always wins at our house!
Just made some homemade granola yesterday!!! Next time I’m making this carrot cake granola! Yum!
Yay! Enjoy Leigh Ann. Isn’t granola the BEST?
My resolutions never last either! This year I did something like you did–no firm resolution, just an attempt to eat less sugar and it’s working for the most part :). Granola is one of my very favorite snacks and carrot cake is one of my favorite treats so I’m making this for sure. I feel like you had me in mind when you made this!
Hope you give it a try then Kelsie! I think you’ll really enjoy it! Let’s keep up the eating healthy and working out! Summer’s coming!
Whaaaaaat? This is so clever!
Thanks. So delicious too!
What a great flavor combo Mary Ann and I am so in love with that turtle scooper! It’s the cutest!
Thanks Karen. Can’t beat the flavors of carrot cake.
Such a great idea, Mary Ann! I am definitely in favor of carrot cake flavors for breakfast. :)
I am too Natasha! Makes the working out worth it!
I am not very good at New Years resolutions, so I have given up on them. I am glad you are sticking with them. Your granola looks delicious.
Thanks Gerlinde! As I get older I need to try harder!
Our boys love carrot cake so much that they ask for it for their birthdays. And the love granola, so I can’t wait to make this for them!
Hope they enjoy it Naomi!
Wow, this is such a great idea! I will have to try it for sure!
Enjoy Gina!
This granola sounds (and looks!) completely irresistible – sign me up for a big bowl! :)
Gotcha Laura!
What a great granola flavor idea!
Quite delicious Jennifer!
I’ve definitely been in a granola rut! This is the perfect solution. I’m excited about those pineapple chunks, and molasses would be such a great flavour! Can’t wait to try!
I love changing my flavors up Katherine!
This looks absolutely amazing! Loving how many nutrients are in this!
Me too Tieghan!
Love this granola Mary Ann! And as a girl who skips breakfast more often than not, this granola is so perfect! I can’t get California nuts in the UK. But I’m a huge fan of co-ops like them and what they do. It’s always so nice to see collaborations and how to use the products/ ingredients in everyday recipes! Beautiful granola!
So do I Debs, so a quick grab and go little bag of this and I’m set! I am so excited to work with them this year! I’ve been using their nuts for years, and use them quite often in my recipes here, so it’s great to share them with my followers at the BHK!
This is so impressive and such good flavors. I could eat this form of carrot cake and I’d be happy.
Amazing!
Thanks Asha!
Well I can honestly say I fall into the category of forgetting by the end of the month! Honestly don’t even remember what I said when we were talking about it at the New Years party, but ah well! This granola does look quite tasty! Carrot cake is one of the best cakes out there, so yes, get me a boarding pass to the dessert for breakfast train!
Get on board Matt! I think you’ll really enjoy this flavor.
This granola looks really good
thank you for sharing
Absolutely Parth! Hope you give it a try.
This carrot cake does look delicious and I would love to try it
thank you for sharing
Sure! Hope you give it a go Deepika!
Making this today!!
Enjoy it Tobie!! Hope you had an awesome trip!
I love carrot cake and this is a great alternative to enjoy those flavors in this healthy form! The pictures are so gorgeous and glistening with goodness! Carrots, pineapples, nuts and raisins..What’s not to love :)
Thanks Deepika! I agree, what’s not to love! Happy weekend!
I’m so in for dessert for breakfast, especially when it’s as nutritious as this granola. Really love this idea!
Me too Marissa! Thanks!
I love this granola combo, Mary Ann – who wouldn’t want carrot cake granola – just delicious. I never made granola – I usually just buy a box of it – but this is totally inspiring me – I bet it is SO much better.
I love making homemade granola Geraldine because I can customize it to my liking. So much better than store-bought!