Cookie Butter Granola Clusters with Cacao Nibs
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Oats, almonds, and walnuts are coated in a brown sugar cinnamon caramel, infused with the addictive flavor of cookie butter. Cacao nibs provide a chocolate-y crunch to these granola clusters.
The other day, I went to the store to restock my supply of cookie butter.
As I'm checking out, the bag boy asks, "Is this stuff any good?" The checkout clerk gave me a knowing glance, and in unison we said, "Oh, yeah!"
If you aren't already familiar with cookie butter, oh, yeah, it's good. Like, once you stick your spoon in it, your life will never be the same again. That kind of good.
Can I get an amen?
I can't let more than a couple of months go by without featuring its brown sugar caramelly, slightly spiced, buttery, creamy goodness in a recipe. As evidenced here, here, and here. Since I've been on a bit of a breakfast kick as of late, I thought it might be nice to incorporate it into the most important meal of the day.
Making your own granola is as simple as tossing some dry cereal-y stuff together with some sweet, sticky stuff and toasting it up in the oven. You can sub in all sorts of yummy and/or healthy ingredients, and it's so crunchy-delish with a dribble of cold milk or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
For this version, my beloved cookie butter melds with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a little melted butter for that unmistakable toasty caramel flavor. Egg whites help coax the granola into big, crunchy clusters...
A combination of old fashioned oats, almonds, and walnuts makes up the cereal-y component.
Once it's toasty and crisp, toss in a small handful of cacao nibs.
How do you feel about combining nuts, caramel, and chocolate...?
That's what I thought. 😉
Cacao nibs add a deep, dark, chocolate-y flavor, with no added sugar and lots of added magnesium, fiber, iron, and antioxidants. They taste like nutty, unsweetened dark chocolate! A little bitter by themselves, but so nicely balanced by the brown sugar.
I bought mine at the regular grocery store, in the organic/gluten-free section. If you have trouble finding them, here is a link to a mail-order source. Or, you could substitute mini chocolate chips.
Or really, you could substitute anything that tickles your fancy! That's what's so great about granola: it's totally adaptable. Add in any kind of dried fruit, seed, or grain that you'd like.
But seriously, cookie butter, nuts, and cacao nibs?
Oh, yeah.
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Ingredients
- 3 cups (243 g) old fashioned oats
- ¾ cup (81 g) slivered almonds
- ¾ cup (87.75 g) chopped walnuts
- ⅓ cup (78.86 g) cookie butter
- ¼ cup (56.75 g) unsalted butter,, melted
- ¼ cup (55 g) light brown sugar
- 2 egg whites, (large)
- 1 ½ teaspoons molasses
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup (28.75 g) cacao nibs, (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, and walnuts, and set aside.
- Place the remaining ingredients in a smaller bowl, and whisk to combine. Pour the mixture over the oats and nuts, and toss to coat.
- Spread the granola, in an even layer, on a lined baking sheet, pressing down with the back of a spatula to compact it, and leaving an open space in the center of the pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes, stir, press to compact, and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Cool completely, on the baking sheet, and break into clusters. Toss with cacao nibs, if desired.
Quick question: Do you use sweetened cacao nibs in this recipe?
P.S. This granola WILL be in my tummy tomorrow!
I did not. The cacao nibs I used were natural- that said, I did find them to be a little bitter so if that's not your thing, I'm sure the sweetened kind would work just as well. I hope your tummy enjoys sweetie!
What a delicious granola! I can't wait to try it 🙂
Thank you, Megan! I hope you enjoy it! I've been nibbling on it all week and I love it! 😉
I feel like I'm missing out on such amazing stuff!!!!!!!!!!!! Cookie butter!!!!!! I want!!!!!!! This granola looks yum!!!!! I've switched to healthy breakfast habits {new year resolutions and all that} and this is just perfect with some yogurt and honey!
Me too, Samina, and I totally agree! 😀
I'm a fellow cookie butter lover, so this looks right up my alley. And the cacao nibs put it right over the top!
I couldn't agree with you more, Natasha! The cacao nibs were the crowning touch. I'm so glad you enjoyed; thanks so much for the awesome feedback! 😀
Nothing beats a crunchy sweet granola to start the day! Yours looks fantastic Allie! I love the big clusters!!
xox Amy
Me too Amy! I like big crunchy clusters, no granola dust for me! Thanks so much for the sweet comment. Hope you're having a fun week!
Amen sista! These granola clusters look ah-mazing! Pinned!
Thanks Trish! I'm totally having a cookie butter moment lately, lol! I can't get enough! Thanks so much for the pin, friend 🙂
I LOVE cookie butter, LOVE cocoa nibs, LOVE granola, looooooooooooove everything about this!! sooo amazing!
Thanks, Kayle! And ME TOO!
Haha, loved that the checkout clerk loves cookie butter as much as you do 🙂 I can't get enough and it's definitely life changing once you try it. Love homemade granola and it sounds amazing with all the yummy cacao nibs and cookie butter! Love everything about this recipe, the clusters are my favorite part 🙂 Pinning, thanks for sharing Allie!
Thank you for pinning, Kelly! I'm so happy you liked the recipe, it was a big hit at our house!
I have been looking for a recipe like this for awhile now and I just haven't found one - until I saw yours! I'm not familiar with cookie butter but if it's as good as you say it is I know I'll become addicted. 🙂 Can't wait to give it a try!
Oh, wow, it must have been meant to be! The cookie butter is so addictive- it tastes like buttery graham crackers but with the consistency of peanut butter. To die for!!!
Cookie butter granola?? You have to be kidding, this stuff sounds way too awesome to be true! I need to make my own as soon as possible haha. Thanks for the inspiration Allie! : )
My pleasure, Consuelo! I'm so happy you liked it! It's so good with greek yogurt and a little drizzle of honey or maple syrup 😀
Oh my word...amen, amen, AMEN!!! Have mercy on me, there is granola with cookie butter AND chocolatey goodness! Cookie. Butter. CHOCOLATE! In granola, the "healthy" breakfast.
I just might love you, Allie. I just might indeed.
Aw, shucks, Dani... I'm blushing 😉
I love cookie butter and adding it to homemade granola is just smart!! Deliciously smart! I love the pictures too..so inviting makes me want to come over for tea. Can I??
You are welcome any time! And I'll be sure to have cookie butter granola on the menu 😉
Looks delicious. Amen! 😉
Yessuh! Hallelujah, praise be!