JENNY’S CACAO CRUNCH GRANOLA
Jenny’s Cacao Crunch Granola is a firm favourite on our Balance + Glo retreats. It’s delicious with fresh fruit and yogurt as part of our B+G breakfast bar. Our guests always request the recipe and we thought you might enjoy it too! Plus Evelyn has also shared her recipe for a thick and creamy Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl - the perfect base for a generous sprinkle of the granola and absolutely dreamy in this warmer weather.
Cacao Crunch Granola
Servings: 1 medium jar
Ingredients
180g oats
40g sunflower seeds
30g white sesame seeds
30g cacao nibs
50g coconut oil (melted)
100ml maple syrup
30g cacao powder
1 tsp vanilla essence
50g desiccated coconut
Method
Pre-heat the oven to 170 and line a baking tray with parchment.
In a large bowl mix the oats and seeds.
Place the coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla into a small pan over a low heat and stir until the coconut oil has melted and the ingredients are incorporated.
Turn the heat down as low as it goes, and whisk in the cacao powder until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the oats and seeds and mix well - ensuring that the dry mixture is fully coated.
Spread the granola mixture over the making the baking sheet and pat down with the back of a spoon, ensuring an even distribution (and help with creating delicious clusters).
Pop the tray in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Stir and pat down again, before popping back in the oven for a further 10 minutes. Make sure you keep an eye on it - you don’t want to char the edges. Take it out sooner, if it’s looking dark.
Once out of the oven stir through the cacao nibs and desiccated coconut.
Allow the granola to cool completely before serving or munching (I know it can be tempting). Store in an airtight jar.
Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie Bowl
Servings: 1
Ingredients
150g of sliced frozen banana
1 tbsp smooth peanut butter
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
75ml almond milk
Additional toppings: fresh banana sliced, blueberries, strawberries, kiwi fruit and chia seeds
Method
Simply pop into a high speed blender and blitz until smooth. Depending on strength of blender you may have to add a lilt more almond milk - do this sparingly as you want to have a thick mixture for your smoothie bowl.
Pour into a bowl and top with the granola and your choice of extras.
Top tip: Don’t let bananas go to waste. If they are a little spotty or too soft for your liking, simply peel, slice and pop in the freezer. Using frozen bananas in your smoothies makes them extra creamy!
