Double Chocolate Cherry Granola – Beantown Kitchen

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Granola is one of those versatile foods that can serve as a snack, a breakfast staple, or even a dessert topping.

If you’re looking for a way to elevate your homemade granola game, look no further than this irresistible Double Chocolate Cherry Granola.

Bursting with rich cocoa flavors, chewy dried cherries, and wholesome oats and walnuts, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between indulgent and nutritious. Whether you’re topping your favorite plant-based yogurt parfait, sprinkling it over a smoothie bowl, or enjoying it by the handful, this granola is bound to become a new favorite!

You can watch me make it here. (Go ahead and like and follow, if you feel so inclined.) 😊

Double Chocolate Cherry Granola in a mason jar surrounded by berries

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Cherry Granola Recipe

  1. Rich Flavor Combination: Chocolate and cherry are a match made in flavor heaven. The deep notes of cocoa beautifully complement the natural sour weetness and of dried cherries.
  2. Healthier Treat: Made with wholesome oats, nuts, and natural sweeteners, this granola provides fiber, protein, and energy without refined sugars.
  3. Perfect for Any Time: Enjoy it as a snack, a breakfast topper, or a late-night treat. Plus, it makes a wonderful gift!

Key Ingredients

  • Rolled Oats: The base of any good granola. Choose old-fashioned oats for the best texture. but certainly quick oats will do the job as well.
  • Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder provides a antioxidant  rich, chocolatey flavor without added sugar.  Learn more from Dr. Greger of Nutrition Facts here.
  • Dried Cherries: Tart and chewy, dried cherries add a burst of sweetness and texture. Look for unsweetened or naturally sweetened varieties.
  • Nuts & Seeds: While the recipe calls for walnuts and sunflower seeds any combination of nuts and seeds will do adding healthy fats, vitamins and minerals.
  • Maple Syrup and Blackstrap Molasses: These are natural sweeteners that pair well with the cocoa and cherries.
  • Semisweet Chocolate Flakes: Optional, but who can say no to extra chocolate? Look for dairy-free chocolate to keep it vegan. I love Guittard Chocolate Chips.

Serving Suggestions

  • Breakfast: Sprinkle this Double Chocolate Cherry Granola over a plant-based yogurt, smoothie bowls, or oatmeal served with fresh berries.
  • Snacks: Grab a handful for a quick and nutritious pick-me-up during the day.
  • Desserts: Use as a crunchy topping for vegan ice cream.
  • Gifting: Package the granola in a mason jar tied with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.

Why Make Homemade Double Chocolate Cherry Granola?

Store-bought granola often comes with unwanted additives, excess sugar, and oils containing an abundance of saturated fats. By making your own, you control the ingredients, ensuring a healthier and more flavorful alternative. Plus, it’s cost-effective and endlessly customizable.

Final Thoughts

This Double Chocolate Cherry Granola combines indulgence with nutrition, making it the perfect treat for any time of day.  Give this recipe a try, and don’t forget to share it with friends and family—or keep it all for yourself. No judgment here!

You can watch me make the granola here.

If you love making your own granola, here’s another recipe to consider. And if you love easy to prepare and wholesome plant-based dishes, check my three time award-winning cookbook, Plants For You.

Have you tried this granola recipe? Let us know how you like it in the comments!

Double Chocolate Cherry Granola

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

  • 4 cups Old-fashioned rolled or quick oats
  • ½ cup sunflower seeds
  • ½ cup unsweetened dried cherries, chopped
  • ½ cup walnuts, chopped
  • ½ cup cocoa or cacao powder
  • 1½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoons salt
  • ¾ cup maple syrup or more to taste
  • ¼ cup blackstrap molasses
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips, chopped or more to taste

  • Preheat the oven to 300℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, sunflower seeds, dried cherries, walnuts, cocoa or cacao powder, cinnamon and salt.

  • Add the maple syrup, molasses and vanilla and stir until well combined. The mixture should resemble loose cookie dough. Add more maple syrup 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed to reach desired consistency and/or sweetness.

  • Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet in a layer about ¾-inch thick. This thickness will allow for perfect granola clumps, as opposed to spreading it out too thinly.

  • Bake on the middle rack for 25 minutes, then remove the baking sheet from the oven.Use a spatula to shift the granola on the edges of the sheet to the center and vice versa.

  • Bake for an additional 10-30 minutes or until the granola is mostly dry and crunchy. Keep in mind that the granola will become drier and crunchier as it cools down outside the oven.

  • Remove from the oven, and sprinkle evenly with the chopped chocolate chips. Allow to cool before storing in an airtight container.

 





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