How to Make the Best Homemade Granola Gifts this Christmas

delicious homemade granola: the perfect holiday gift

Make the best granola you’ve ever tasted and create homemade treats to give this Christmas & all year long! Handmade gifts are always special. 

homemade holiday granola

Who doesn’t love granola? It’s great with so many things.

  • You can eat it alone as a snack
  • for breakfast as a cereal with milk
  • with yogurt
  • as a dessert over ice cream.

Really, the ideas are endless. A good granola recipe can be eaten so many ways and has so many possibilities.

AND it makes the ideal gift.

Package it in a cute little jar and it will easily keep for several weeks and make your friends and family BEG you for the recipe! 

If you want to try another favorite homemade edible gift idea be sure to visit our blog post where we share our Spiced Nuts Recipe handed down by our dear grandmother.

holiday granola recipe

The Granola Story

But this granola recipe has a story which makes it extra special to our family.

It’s the granola that helped save our family business and helped save our family finances.

It all started when my husband Bill asked me to join him in his Senior Care Business that he was trying to get off the ground. It was in its first few years of business, and it was an extremely competitive market. Because the market was based on word of mouth and built on years of relationship building and trust, it was really hard to break into as a brand-new company. We were having a really hard time even getting inside the Senior Care Homes. We desperately needed a way to introduce our business to them.

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Bill asked me to help out in the marketing department. Together we started to brainstorm ideas. We needed a way to stand out and get the attention of decision makers.

best holiday granola recipe

The Solution We Needed

Normally Senior Care companies like ours would drop off their business cards along with pens, mugs or maybe some flowers to get on the good side of the hiring staff.

Bill was often bringing in lunch for people or dropping off flowers, but nothing really seemed to make a difference.

We needed to think of something unique.

Something that no one else was doing.

Something special.

It was near Christmas time and I thought of packaging up something special.

I thought of a cute mason jar full of something…. something edible…. and then I remembered this delicious granola recipe I had made a few years back. 

addicting holiday granola

Our Granola Recipe Takes Off

One Sunday afternoon I decided to make a big batch. I multiplied the recipe times four. I sent Bill out to get mason jars. We filled up our first jars, tied festive holiday bows and sent him out to his favorite Senior Centers. The following week all the staff wanted, no NEEDED, to have the recipe and asked could they have MORE! 

The next Sunday I made another big batch, but this time I multiplied the recipe by eight. I sent Bill out to get more mason jars. This time we got smaller jars and filled up dozens and dozens. We made up cute little cards with the recipes. From there our marketing success started to take off.

It’s been years since I made the granola for our company as a marketing tool, but people still ask Bill about the granola when they see him. 

When I told Bill I was going to make some granola for the blog, he asked if I could make some for him to hand out for Christmas. How could I refuse? You can guess what Ill be doing this Sunday. I better get out the mason jars!

Try Our Other Fabulous Holiday Treats & Edible Gift Ideas

Looking for more recipe ideas for the holidays that double as giftable treats? Be sure to check out our:

White Chocolate Peppermint Cake

Roan’s Chocolate Chip Almond Biscotti

Starbucks Copy Cat Cranberry Bliss Bars

Spiced Nuts

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homemade holiday granola

Jodie’s Homemade Granola Recipe

This granola is super easy — most of the work is done on your stove-top. You bake only briefly to dry/crisp up granola to your liking. Have fun personalizing with nuts or dried fruit that you like best. It’s pretty yummy as is, but you can easily save some calories or make a healthier version by reducing the sugar and butter.

Ingredients

2 tbsp. Olive oil

4 cups Old Fashioned Oats

⅔ cups Butter

¼ cup Honey

⅔ cup packed Brown Sugar

1-2 tsp cinnamon 

1-2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup Slivered Almonds

1 cup dried cranberries

1/2-1 cup date pieces (opt.)

1 cup chopped pecans

Makes approximately 14 – 8-ounce mason jars

Crisp granola mixed with nuts and cranberries makes the best Christmas gift

Step-by-step Recipe

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat add olive oil and cook oats until just slightly toasted. Be careful not to burn. You should smell just a bit of toasting. If you wait until you see them turning brown, it’s easy to burn them. Set aside.
  3. In the same large skillet cook butter, honey, and brown sugar over medium heat until mixture bubbles. Add cinnamon & vanilla. Remove from heat.
  4. Add oats and stir until coated. 
  5. While still warm add nuts and dried fruit. Stir to coat all ingredients evenly.
  6. Spread in a single layer onto cookie sheets and bake in a preheated oven at 300 for 10-15 minutes.
  7. Watch so granola doesn’t turn dark. Granola will crisp after cooling.
  8. Store in airtight containers. Should keep for 2-3 weeks.

amazing holiday granola, perfect homemade gift

Homemade Gift Baskets

Another way we love to create gifts that feel more personal is to put together personalized gift baskets. Homemade gift baskets combine the best of all worlds. If you’re short on time but long on creativity you will love putting together gift baskets. Taking the time to put together a themed basket that’s personalized for the recipient is a wonderful way to make someone’s day and show you care. Read our budget-friendly gift basket post for lots of ideas for themes, as well as creative presentation ideas. After all, presentation is everything 🙂

Looking for a fun way to create your own gift tags? Head to our amazingly talented blogging friend Janine @happyhapynester for printable gift tags to make all your packages extra special.

Family Togetherness and Spreading Christmas Joy

These days more than ever homemade gifts mean so much. It’s the thought that counts. It may be cliché but it’s so true.  Taking time to make something is an act of true caring. As we love to say, “It’s love in action.” Honestly, is there anything better? 

Have fun with this project. Get the whole family involved. Put on your aprons. Turn on the Christmas music. And allow the joy of the season to fill your home. Creating homemade gifts can put the whole family in the festive, holiday spirit.

When the mason jars are dressed and the cards filled out, get dressed up in holiday outfits and Santa hats and enjoy delivering them to friends’ doorsteps. This year you can safely deliver by leaving at the door and waving from the car. This is another way to show you care.

Create a new family tradition, one based on selflessness, giving, togetherness, and joy.

Now that’s what we call Christmas Spirit!

Happy Giving!

XO ~ 

jodie & julie
Mason jars filled with delicious homemade granola makes a personal and perfect Christmas gift
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Best Mason Jar Christmas Granola

Crunch, Sweet, and Irresistibly yummy, this granola is great for breakfast, sprinkled over yogurt or ice cream or eaten as a snack all day long! It makes the perfect gift, but be sure to make an extra batch for yourself!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Breakfast, cereal, Snack, yogurt topping
Cuisine: American
Keyword: almonds, dried fruit, healthy snack, honey, nut recipe, oats, pecans
Servings: 14 servings
Calories: 298kcal
Cost: $10

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cups Rolled oats Old Fashioned
  • 2/3 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar dark
  • 1-2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1-2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup almonds slivered
  • 1 cup pecans chopped
  • 1 cup cranberries dried
  • 1/2-3/4 cup dates dried pieces (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat add olive oil and cook oats until just slightly toasted. Be careful not to burn. Set aside.
  • In the same large skillet cook butter, honey and brown sugar over medium heat until mixture bubbles. Add cinnamon & vanilla. Remove from heat.
  • Add oats and stir until coated.
  • While still warm add nuts and dried fruit. Stir to coat all ingredients evenly.
  • Spread in a single layer onto cookie sheets and bake in preheated oven at 300 for 10-15 minutes.
    Crisp granola mixed with nuts and cranberries makes the best Christmas gift
  • Watch so granola doesn't turn dark. Granola will crisp after cooling.
  • Store in airtight containers after cool. Should keep for 2-3 weeks.

Notes

This granola is super easy -- most of the work is done on your stove-top. You bake only briefly to dry/crisp up granola to your liking. Have fun personalizing with nuts or dried fruit that you like best. It’s pretty yummy as is but you can easily save some calories or make a healthier version by reducing some of the sugar and butter. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 259mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 28IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 2mg

homemade granola on baking sheets and red and white check tin with red poinsettia in background

 

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Mason Jar Christmas Granola
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  1. Bonnie says:

    5 stars
    Beautiful in every way! Cannot wait to make this for my family and friends! Thank you for sharing!!
    God bless you all this season!
    Merry Christmas!!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Hi Bonnie,
      We are so glad to hear you enjoyed our granola recipe! Can’t wait for you to try it out this holiday. You’re very welcome sweet friend. God bless you too.
      Happy Holidays!
      Jodie & Julie

  2. Christine says:

    Cannot wait to try! Thank you for sharing along with the special story!!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Christine,
      We are so glad to hear you enjoyed this holiday granola recipe. So excited for you to try it as well! Let us know how you like it.
      Happy Holidays!
      Jodie & Julie

  3. Constance Dobson says:

    This recipe is the bomb!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Constance,
      Thank you for the love on this blog post! We are so glad you enjoyed this granola recipe. Let us know if you try it out!
      Happy Holidays,
      Jodie & Julie

  4. Cindi says:

    Made it..LOVE it!!
    Thanks for sharing;))

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Cindi,
      Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try! It truly means the world to us. We are so glad you love the granola as much as we do.
      Happy Holidays,
      Jodie & Julie

  5. Carri S. says:

    You two are pretty amazing! A true gift for Jesus! Thank you for sharing your life with us!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Carri,
      What a sweet and kind reply. We love hearing from you and wish you all God’s blessings now and in the New Year. Happy Holidays, Julie & Jodie

  6. Joanne says:

    Thank you for sharing this recipe. I am making it today to send some to my brother in-law in KY who has pancreatic cancer. He is gluten free so I made it with gf products. Thank you for sharing some joy with him, by sharing the recipe.

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Joanne,
      What a beautiful act of caring for your brother-in-law. We too hope it brings him some joy. The act of giving, especially a homemade gift, can be profound. Being a part of your generosity and love means the world to us. Thank you for sharing. Lifting your brother-in-law up in prayer today. God bless, Julie & Jodie

  7. Nicole says:

    5 stars
    Simply Amazing!

    Quick question- is this a soft granola? Meaning it doesn’t actually firm up and get crunchy? After it cooled I used a flat spatula to “pick up” and realized it was still gooey delicious. I stuck it back in the oven but think I prefer the flavor of the granola exactly like the recipe reads. The added oven time did NOT make the granola crunchy even after it cooled just a bit more baked.

    Any more hidden recipes up your sleeve? This was enjoyable to make too!

    Thanks so much!

    Merry Christmas!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      It’s supposed to be crunchy granola. Hmmm, I wonder what you did differently. Not sure what to tell you, but ours is crunchy 🙂

  8. This sounds so delicious! I’d love to share a link back to your post & recipe on my Sunday, Dirt Road Adventures. It will link directly to your post. I hope that’s ok.

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Rachel, Thank you for asking. That sounds great. If you can give us credit in the post along with the link that would be wonderful. Happy Holidays, Julie & Jodie

  9. […] this Homemade Granola Recipe that Julie & Jodie, The Design Twins shared. It sounds delicious and would make a great hostess […]

  10. Rosie Haas says:

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this easy-to-make recipe. I gathered the ingredients together this morning and created this delicious granola! I have my jars ready, just need to decorate with bows, and I will be ready for my open house neighborhood party this weekend.

    Thanks so much for this thoughtful recipe. I will share your website with my neighbors!

    Merry Christmas!!!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Rosie! Thank you so much:) That makes our day to hear that you tried our recipe and can’t wait to share the yummy granola with your neighbors. We sure appreciate the kind message and of course your sharing our blog means the world. Merry Christmas to you! Best wishes, Julie & Jodie

  11. Robin R says:

    5 stars
    Love this recipe! My grandkids love it, too. I made it for Christmas gifts and am so glad I did. Getting ready to make more. I did two things differently: maple syrup in place of honey and I added shredded unsweetened coconut. Yum yum!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Aw we love to hear this Robin! It really is so darn good. Everyone we have given it to raves, and we’ve given it to so many people! We hope you continue to enjoy making, eating, and giving. Blessings, Jodie & Julie

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