Morning Time Breakfast Granola Cups
Granola bars are a hot ticket item in this house. Believe it or not, we eat our way through about six to eight boxes a week. My husband fancies them as an accompaniment to his morning cup of freshly brewed joe. And, in the spirit of true marital bliss, I’ll wholeheartedly agree with his start of the day assessment. The kids love that they can bound downstairs in the morning and grab their favorite flavor; no adult intervention required. As you can probably guess, I appreciate this aspect as well.
I’ve made both breakfast bars and granola on this blog before, but have yet to make a granola bar. As I was researching different recipes and flavors in preparation for putting together my own creation, it hit me. Why does it have to be a bar? Why can’t it be a bowl instead? You could spoon in a little french vanilla yogurt, top it with some fresh berries and in the process you not only take a notch off your daily grain requirements , but cross off a little dairy and fruit from the list as well. Make them with a regular muffin tin for a full breakfast serving or use a mini muffin tin to make a more bite sized version for on the go or a brunch amongst friends.
Making a batch is a fairly easy and quick process. Begin by melting a couple pats of butter in a small saucepan along with some honey, molasses, brown sugar and a few spices.
While the mixture is heating up, toss together some oats, wheat germ, flax seed, almonds and dried cranberries in a separate bowl.
Once the mixture is melted and hot, remove it from the heat and pour over the dry mixture. Stir it up well and coat completely.
Slide the mixture into the fridge to cool for about 20-30 minutes.
Once it’s cooled you’ll spray a little cooking spray inside your muffin tins and drop enough of the mixture in to fill it about 2/3 of the way full. Beginning in the middle, start pressing down gently with your fingers to form a bowl. Continue pressing gently around the sides, to complete the shape. If the mixture sticks to your hands, simply wet your fingers with cold water, shake them off and get back to it.
Slip them into the oven and allow to cook for about 10 to 15 minutes depending on the size muffin tin you used. Cool the bowls completely before popping out of the tins.
Here are a collection of small and large bowls to give you a better idea. Aren’t they adorable?
Welcome to breakfast the way nature intended (or least the way I intend to enjoy it for the next few days). Simply grab a granola bowl, fill with your favorite yogurt, top with berries and indulge in a healthy start to the morning.
I’m going to throw my hat (and this photograph) into the ring for a chance to win a scholarship, sponsored by Feastie to the Eat Write Retreat Conference held in DC this May. Wish me luck!
Morning Time Breakfast Granola Cups
Yield: About 12 regular sized cups or 24 to 30 Mini Cups
Total Time: 1 hour 15 min
Ingredients:
4 Tbsp Butter
1/4 Cup Honey
1/4 Cup Molasses
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Ginger
1/4 tsp Cloves
1/4 tsp Salt
1 tsp Vanilla
2 Cups Old Fashioned Oats (Not Quick Cook)
1/2 Cup Wheat Germ
1/4 Cup Flax Seed
1/4 Cup Sliced Almonds
1/4 Cup Dried CranberriesDirections:
To a small sauce pan, add the butter, honey, molasses, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt.
Heat until butter is melted and ingredients are combined. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
In a separate bowl mix together the oats, wheat germ, flax seed, almonds and cranberries.
Pour the liquid over the dry ingredients and stir until completely coated.
Place the mixture into the fridge for about 30 minutes to cool.
When ready to bake, grease up a muffin tin and fill each opening about 2/3 full.
Using your fingers press into the center of the hole and then work your way around the edges to form a bowl. If the dough is sticky, wet your fingers with cold water, shake them out, and proceed. Repeat as necessary.
Place the bowls into an oven preheated to 325 degrees. For regular sized muffin cups, cook about 15-17 minutes. For mini muffin cups, cook about 10-12 minutes.
Let cool completely before removing from the tin.
Store in an air tight container. When ready to eat, pull one out and fill with the yogurt of your choice. Top with fresh berries.
Emily Bites — January 9, 2012 @ 9:37 pm
These look amazing! I can’t wait to try them.
Rach — January 9, 2012 @ 11:43 pm
Oh wow, these look super delicious!
beti — January 10, 2012 @ 1:22 am
this is such a great idea! something different and delicious that will motivate me in the morning
Elise — January 10, 2012 @ 1:27 am
These are incredible. Can’t wait to try them on the fam!
Shawn @ I Wash... You Dry — January 10, 2012 @ 1:32 am
These look so amazing! Can’t wait to make a batch!
Fey — January 10, 2012 @ 1:33 am
I followed a beautiful picture on foodgawker to find your genius and simple recipe. My current favorite breakfast is yogurt and granola. What a fun way to eat it, and with all real ingredients! Well done.
LisaDay — January 10, 2012 @ 7:58 am
I love them. All my favourite spices.
Thanks.
LisaDay
Migle — January 10, 2012 @ 9:41 am
What an idea!!!!!
Rita — January 10, 2012 @ 10:12 am
I can just imagine how your kids must have been when they arrrived in teh kitchen. This is so neat; you do come up with such novel ideas.
Rita
Alyce@culinarythymes.com — January 10, 2012 @ 10:25 am
I LOVE this idea. Great pics.
Mercedes — January 10, 2012 @ 10:25 am
I love this idea! And great granola recipes and beautiful photos!
Katerina — January 10, 2012 @ 10:39 am
What a powerful way to begin your day! They are very cute as well! They please both the eye and tongue!
Mari — January 10, 2012 @ 10:40 am
Love these cups Julie! Very healthy and delicious. Have a nice day
Jane M — January 10, 2012 @ 11:04 am
What a GREAT GREAT idea! Really love it!
Jenna — January 10, 2012 @ 11:22 am
What an amazing idea! They’re adorable, and they look delicious. It’s like a parfait that you can eat with your fingers.
Laura in Cancun — January 10, 2012 @ 12:36 pm
Those are too stinkin cute! I would love some of the tiny bite size ones to enjoy while reading the paper
Shumaila — January 10, 2012 @ 2:14 pm
That new year resolution of me getting back into shape seems like a possibility if I have such tasty but healthy food around! thanks for sharing!
Damaris @KitchenCorners — January 10, 2012 @ 2:26 pm
Julie, this is seriously amazing. I can not wait to get back to the U.S and find my muffin tins so I can do this. I love love love this.
Monica @ TheYummyLife — January 10, 2012 @ 6:03 pm
I love muffin tin recipes. This is one of the most clever and nutritious that I’ve seen. Perfect for a brunch buffet. FABULOUS!
Cheri Sicard — January 10, 2012 @ 9:22 pm
What a fabulous creative idea. I love it. Will have to try this. Thank you for sharing.
Jan — January 10, 2012 @ 9:32 pm
Great idea for a brunch, and because I love granola so much… Love it
Willa@ArmstrongFamilyFare — January 10, 2012 @ 9:58 pm
Love it!! Great idea plus they’re adorable! I just recently made granola bars for the first time and they tasted great. I love how easy they are to make and yet you can control the ingredients (vs storebought). Thanks for sharing your recipes, I look forward to trying it!
maureen — January 11, 2012 @ 1:53 am
These look wonderful. I can’t wait to try them. By the way, I have made your chocolate chip pecan muffins several times for various friends. Everyone raves about them!!!!
sippitysup — January 11, 2012 @ 10:58 am
very clever and the perfect opening to a brunch. GREG
Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids — January 11, 2012 @ 2:11 pm
This is brilliant. I cannot wait to make these!
Sarah J — January 11, 2012 @ 4:11 pm
I love this idea!
Laura @ Mrs in the Making — January 11, 2012 @ 6:19 pm
I feel confident that this is not an issue in your home… but about how long do you suppose these would keep?
They look amazing, and I can’t wait to try them. Thanks for sharing!
anne Alesauskas — January 11, 2012 @ 7:31 pm
awesome! awesome! idea, i totally love this! anne
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen — January 11, 2012 @ 11:34 pm
What a cute idea! I love it.
raquel@erecipe — January 12, 2012 @ 4:16 am
The granola bars looks like a basket full of fruits that is amazing
grace — January 12, 2012 @ 1:27 pm
yogurt and granola is one of my favorite breakfasts, and this is one heck of an elegant way to eat it!
Kathy — January 12, 2012 @ 3:43 pm
What a great idea! I’m throwing my sister a brunch bridal shower and was wondering how far in advance I could make these? Would they be ok after a couple of days?
Morning Time Breakfast Granola Cups | Mommie Cooks! | Little House & Garden — January 12, 2012 @ 5:06 pm
[...] Morning Time Breakfast Granola Cups | Mommie Cooks! Posted on January 12, 2012 by the chef Posted in saved | Tagged breakfast, food, granola Current Cookware Setup [...]
Kathy - Panini Happy — January 12, 2012 @ 7:58 pm
This is a super-cute idea!
Shannon | JustAsDelish — January 13, 2012 @ 1:04 am
You are so brilliant! love this!
Cindie — January 13, 2012 @ 1:36 pm
What a great idea, and it looks nice and simple too, awesome!
Jersey Girl Cooks — January 13, 2012 @ 4:08 pm
Such a cool idea!
Brandie (@ Home Cooking Memories) — January 14, 2012 @ 4:35 am
These are so awesome!
Allison S. — January 14, 2012 @ 8:17 pm
Wondering if these would freeze well? Guess I’m about to find out!
Also, anyone else think these look like little bird’s nests? Wouldn’t they be super cute w/ some candy eggs in them around Easter?
Ameena — January 15, 2012 @ 10:41 am
What a clever idea! These are so cute for company…and the butter just makes it even more appealing.
Kati Mora, MS, RD, Kellogg's FiberPlus(R) Wellness Advocate — January 17, 2012 @ 9:09 am
This is an incredibly clever idea! I absolutely love putting cereal on top of my yogurt and this reminds me of that. Hmm… I wonder if these granola bowls would hold a small amount of milk and cereal too?
Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} — January 17, 2012 @ 11:12 am
I loved this bowls since you shared them on facebook! they are so so cute!
Chei — January 17, 2012 @ 3:03 pm
Whew! This would be a sure favorite next time we’d have a special gathering. Especially for the kids… ^_^
Here’s for a party craze too:
http://www.gourmetrecipe.com/recipes/cheese-sticks
Simple and easy too make but everyone, well almost, loves it! =>
Alisa — January 17, 2012 @ 8:11 pm
I stumbled across this on pinterest. Had to make them! They turned out so delicious, I am now making my second batch. Thanks for an awesome recipe.
» Granola Cups - Divine Party Concepts — January 18, 2012 @ 9:03 am
[...] Granola Cups January 18th, 2012 Tweet Here is a great idea for serving a healthy and easy dish at a brunch or breakfast. It’s a Granola Cup with yogurt and fresh berries. This would also be great to serve at a baby shower or bridal shower. You can find the recipe for this at Mommie Cooks. [...]
brighteyedbaker — January 18, 2012 @ 3:12 pm
I bookmarked this recipe; these look so tasty! I definitely will try to make them soon. I love how you topped them with yogurt and berries, although I will probably have to skip that part so I can take them with me on the go!
Mihela — January 20, 2012 @ 12:13 pm
I am from Europe so we do not have molasses. With what could I replace it?
Sorta Southern Single Mom — January 24, 2012 @ 8:43 am
These look like fun… I wonder if my children would eat them??
Christine — January 27, 2012 @ 8:24 am
To Mihela,
Depends on where you live, I am in Germany and here you substitute with
something called “Zuckerruebensirup”
Gitte — February 15, 2012 @ 7:50 pm
They look like beautiful little birds nests
and sounds very very delicious. Love granola!
Schokozwerg — February 19, 2012 @ 8:09 am
Wonderful idea! I prepared them for our breakfast, used sugar beet syrup and have to find a new muesli now. The old is inside the cups
Thank you from Berlin!
AmyJoTink — February 21, 2012 @ 10:26 am
Just wondering if you use whole flax seed? I have heard you don’t benefit if you don’t grind it?
Susan — February 22, 2012 @ 9:17 am
Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea! Fabulous! I may re-create with a link-back. In the meantime, I posted it on my Facebook component.