I am in love with the holiday season, the baking, the social gatherings and the holiday movies, it all makes me SO happy!

Not only do I love cooking and baking for my family and friends, one of my other favourite things to do is search for the perfect gift for the people I love.

Inspired by my gift-giving, my favourite local shops and love for cooking I’m sharing with you my go-to gifts for the holiday season.

For the foodie in your family this cookbook, A New Way To Dinner, is filled with easy, everyday dinner recipes and helps you meal-plan too

For those who love a little sparkle, Flora Italia is a Calgary-based company creating beautiful jewelry (you may even have to gift yourself something it’s so gorgeous!)

If you want to get creative in the kitchen make a batch of my marshmallow pops as gifts

For those who like to stay-in, this Vintage Dominoes set or this fun vintage Clue boardgame will add some fun entertainment

The perfect hostess gifts are these Snowy Pine & Balsam Fir Candles that smell like Christmas

For the tea-drinker in your life any of these tea blends

For the coffee-drinker enjoy some of the best local coffee from Calgary with a coffee subscription

Something to keep the traveller in your life organized, this compact traveller kit

We can’t forget the kids! For the kids in your life (or the kid in you) this classic holiday tale, The Polar Express

And for something truly Canadian, this Hudson’s Bay Classic Throw Blanket

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post What’s In Season – Holiday Gift Guide appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

A blend of coconut, almonds, oats and cinnamon makes this granola absolutely delicious when baked in the oven.

It’s perfect with your favourite milk or yogurt for an easy breakfast during the week or even the weekend.

I love to meal-prep for the week ahead and even more so during the holiday season when we have visitors. This way I have an easy breakfast that is ready to serve to my guests.

This Coconut & Almond Granola is such a crowd pleaser, that I nicknamed it ‘giftable granola.’ I found these cute food gift tags that I knew would be perfect tied around a mason jar of granola for the holiday season!

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Coconut & Almond Granola

With a blend of coconut, almond, oats and cinnamon, this Coconut & Almond Granola is perfect for an easy weekday breakfast or to serve to guests! Plus it's an easy DIY gift for the holidays.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword granola

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 4 cups

Author Jess

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup large flake oats
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup almonds, chopped roughly
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted measure solid then melt
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp almond butter
• 1/2 cup coconut flakes

Optional: 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

• Pre-heat oven to 325F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Measure a cup of almonds and chop them roughly. Then stir the almonds with the remaining dry ingredients (oats, coconut, flax seed & cinnamon).
  
• Measure coconut oil (solid form) and then melt; to that add the honey and almond butter. Stir the wet ingredients and then pour over the dry, stirring with a fork until coated.
• Pour granola mixture onto the parchment paper, spread out evenly and pop in the oven.
• Bake at 325F for 10 minutes, stir the granola, then bake for 10 more minutes.
• Cook's Note: After 20 minutes it will more than likely be nice and golden. However, if its not quite golden yet, place back in the oven for another 3-5 minutes – just watch it carefully so it doesn't burn.
• Once cooled, add in the coconut flakes (and optional dried cranberries) and mix. Then place in a container with a tight-fitting lid and store for up to a week.

Notes

• If you don't have almond butter, peanut butter or cashew butter will also work. 
• A great substitution for the flax is chia seeds!

My personal favourite way to gift this granola is a mason jar to keep the granola nice & fresh.

And, if you’re looking for the perfect breakfast, try my Cranberry-Pear Chia Seed Jam with this granola and yogurt; a match made in breakfast heaven!

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post Coconut & Almond Granola appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.