Easy Homemade Banana Bread Speculaas Granola

If you’ve been paying attention to baking trends, you might have noticed the advent in popularity of the spice blend known as Speculaas. Speculaas Spice Mix is often used in the Netherlands and in Dutch cuisine during Autumn and Winter. Holiday baking and cold weather bring with them a full spectrum of delicious recipes calling for Speculaas spice blend. Though most often associated with the Netherlands, it is also a blend of spices used throughout Europe, though known by other names in different countries. In Germany and Austria it’s called Spekulatius and in Belgium and France it’s called Speculoos. It has similarities to the American Pumpkin Pie Spice mix but it is a lot more complex in flavor. Generally, all Speculaas include cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, aniseed, white pepper, and coriander. Next to that people are known to add ginger, cardamom, and mace.

In its origin, Speculoos spiced baked goods in the shapes of animals were offered to the gods as a supplication for good harvests. As Christianity rose in popularity, the cookies and baked goods took on the shape of beloved patron saints like the bishop of Myra AKA Saint Nicholas. This tradition continues even in our age as Speculaas spiced goods are still served on Saint Nicholas Day. Traditionally, every baker had their own unique blend of Speculaas. There was even at one point a custom of giving a male or female-shaped baked good to a suitor or lover as a token of your affection. We love it in our baked goods no matter what they are intended to represent, as long as they are delicious!

This whole-grain granola is just such a treat. The addition of this complex spice gives it a unique and divine flavor and it will be sure to become one of your favorites.

Banana Bread Speculaas Granola

Ingredients

¼ cup Coconut Oil

½ cup Coconut Sugar

1 Tbsp. Vanilla, pure extract

2 Medium ripe Bananas, mashed

4 cups Specialty Grains Rolled Oats

¾ cup Whole Almonds, raw

¼ cup Specialty Grains Teff, Chia Seeds, or Flax seeds

1 Tbsp. Dutch Speculaas spice or Cinnamon

½ tsp salt

Directions:

• • Wash and sanitize all work surfaces and tools.

• • Preheat the oven to 300°F.

• • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

• • In a large bowl, combine coconut oil, coconut sugar, vanilla, and mashed bananas. Add remaining ingredients and stir well.

• • Bake the granola by dividing it between the two baking sheets. Bake 35 minutes, stirring halfway through baking. Remove from oven and cool completely. Yield 20 1/4 cup servings.

Estimated Nutritional Information: 144 cal, 7 g fat, 18 carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 3 g protein.

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