We are officially entering the most magical month of the year, which is so much fun, but it can also be incredibly busy! I’m constantly looking for ways I can make things easier, life hacks even, and that includes recipes. Between my kids school work, after school activities and my meetings, things can get crazy. I have been searching for a quick and easy recipe I can whip up for snack time in the afternoons. We are in the busiest month of the year and I’ve been needing something yummy and festive that I can prep or make in record timing.
When it comes to snacks I make for my kids, health is important. Of course, it’s not always easy to have a super healthy snack every single day, when life gets busy, easy is sometimes the most necessary route. But what if easy and healthy can go hand in hand this holiday season? As a busy mom of 3, I can promise you this recipe takes only 20 minutes of your time and is packed with some great ingredients that I can fully stand behind.
Our aprons and oven mitts.
Of course, I tested this out myself before having my kids try it and I was obsessed! I have their approval and this is something that they have started asking for almost daily– which is no problem because it is such a quick snack to put together. Think trail mix, but holiday style! It’s a gingerbread snack mix with Quaker Life Cereal that will give you the energy you need in the afternoons for a quick pick me up and totally satisfy your taste buds!
Here’s what you’re going to need:
1 1/2 Cups of Coconut Flakes
1 Cup of Unsalted Pumpkin Seeds
2 Cups of Quaker Life Cinnamon Cereal
1 Cup of Dried, Unsweetened Cranberries
1 1/4 Cup of Shelled Pistachios
2 Tbsp of Coconut Oil
1/3 Cup of Honey
1/2 Tsp of Salt
1/2 Tsp of Almond Extract
3/4 Tsp of Cinnamon
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a large roasting pan with parchment paper. Next, combine the coconut flakes, cranberries, pistachios, pumpkin seeds and cereal in the pan. In a small saucepan, melt together the coconut oil, honey, salt, almond extract and cinnamon to create the most delicious mixture. Once it’s all melted together, pour it over your mixture in the pan and toss it together so everything is coated evenly. Bake for 5 minutes, mix halfway through and then bake for another 6 minutes. Let it cool and then break it apart to enjoy!
Not only is this the tastiest holiday snack for your kids, but this makes a great gift to give to neighbors, friends, coworkers, anyone! Get a cute little holiday tin, put your mixture in and you have a sweet, yet healthy gift for the holidays!
This post was originally published December 7th, 2021*
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