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Home » Breakfast » Birthday Cake Granola

February 16, 2023 Breakfast

Birthday Cake Granola

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
a green bowl of birthday cake granola broken into clusters.
birthday cake granola clusters in a bowl on a white plate.
zoomed in photo of baked granola with sprinkles.
ingredients to make birthday cake granola labeled with black text.

Birthday Cake Granola is a fun, yet healthy recipe. It's easy, simple, and made with just a few ingredients in under one hour. This colorful granola tastes just like a classic birthday cake, although this recipe is gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free!

birthday cake granola clusters in a bowl on a white plate.
Jump to:
  • The Best Birthday Cake Granola
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients Needed For Birthday Cake Granola
  • How To Make The Best Birthday Cake Granola
  • Storing Instructions
  • Expert Tips For Making Homemade Granola
  • Ways To Serve Birthday Cake Granola
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Did you make this recipe?
  • Birthday Cake Granola

The Best Birthday Cake Granola

This birthday cake granola might just be my new favorite granola flavor! I took my classic gluten free granola recipe, switched up a few ingredients, and have now made this batch that literally tastes like birthday cake batter.

Made with common ingredients, like oats, seeds, and nuts, I added a mix of almond and vanilla extracts along with honey to nail that classic birthday cake flavor. Best of all, there's actual sprinkles in the granola so it makes every snack feel like a party!

You can use this granola on top of yogurt or oatmeal or breakfast, enjoy it like cereal with cold almond milk, or even just eat as is for a healthy snack. Make a big batch at the beginning of the week and I can almost promise there won't be any left by the next week because it's so good!

Be sure to also check out my traditional gluten free granola, oil free granola, and even granola butter recipes for more options!

Or, if you want a colorful dessert, try these M&M Rice Krispie Treats!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It's simple and easy to make
  • You only need a handful of pantry staple ingredients
  • This homemade granola really tastes like birthday cake
  • It's healthy and great for snack or breakfast
  • This granola recipe is gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free
  • You can make this in advance for easy snacks throughout a busy week

Ingredients Needed For Birthday Cake Granola

*full ingredients list and measurements can be found in recipe card below*

ingredients to make birthday cake granola labeled with black text.
  • Oats: For granola you need to use either old fashioned or rolled oats. Both instant oats and steel cuts will not work.
  • Almonds: I use whole almonds and chop them up into small pieces. You can also use sliced or slivered almonds if you'd prefer.
  • Coconut: Since this birthday cake granola is already pretty sweet, I like to use unsweetened shredded coconut.
  • Honey: I used raw honey for my recipe, but any honey will work. You could use maple syrup but I find that it overpowers the "birthday cake" flavor.
  • Oil: This is best with avocado oil because it's a neutral flavored oil. You can use melted coconut oil but it will have a slight coconut flavor.
  • Extracts: Both vanilla extract and almons extract are use to achieve that true birthday flavor
  • Sprinkles: Any kind of rainbow sprinkles will work here. The only ones that won't work are nonpareils.

Substitutions:

  • Substitute the chopped almonds with another nut like pistachios or cashews
  • Replace the almonds with sunflower seeds and leave out the shredded coconut for a nut-free version
  • Maple syrup can be substituted in place of the honey
  • Olive oil or melted coconut oil are able to replace the avocado oil
  • You can ADD white chocolate chips once the granola is done baking if you'd like to

How To Make The Best Birthday Cake Granola

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper

2. In a large mixing bowl stir together the oats, chopped almonds, shredded coconut, salt, and sprinkles

3. To the dry ingredients add the honey, avocado oil, and both the vanilla and almond extracts. Stir until well combined

oats, almonds, sprinkles, and coconut in a glass bowl.
homemade granola with sprinkles in a glass bowl.

4. Dump the granola mixture out onto the prepared baking sheet and use your fingers to press it into an even layer

5. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges reach a rich, golden brown color

cake batter granola pressed into an even layer on parchment paper.
baked granola with sprinkles on a parchment lined baking sheet.

6. Carefully take the baking sheet out of the oven and let it cool completely before breaking into clusters

Storing Instructions

STORING: Store your birthday cake granola in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It will stay good for up to 10 days. You can also keep it in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.

FREEZING: If you want to keep your granola fresher longer, store it in a freezer safe bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Try to get as much air out as possible before freezing for best results.

zoomed in photo of baked granola with sprinkles.

Expert Tips For Making Homemade Granola

  1. Gluten Free Oats: If you want your homemade granola to be safe for those on a gluten free diet, be sure to use oats that are certified gluten free.
  2. Honey or maple syrup: For this granola I actually prefer to use honey because I feel like the flavor of maple syrup masks the "birthday cake" flavor, while honey enhances it. However, maple syrup will work as a honey substitute in a pinch
  3. Optional add-ins: You can add ingredients like flax or hemp seeds before baking, but other like the sprinkles or white chocolate chips need to be added after baking
  4. Use your hands: I found that using my hands to mix was easier once the honey was added.
  5. Make ahead: If stored properly, homemade granola will last for up to 2 weeks. It's great to prep for a busy week if you need an easy breakfast or healthy snack!

Ways To Serve Birthday Cake Granola

There's so many ways you can serve this fun, whimsical granola! My favorite it on top of a yogurt bowl, but other fun ways are:

  • Smoothie "sprinkles"
  • On banana nice cream
  • Over vanilla ice cream
  • Turn it into a yogurt parfait
  • In a bowl with almond milk (like cereal)
  • Enjoy it by the handful. Careful though, it's addictive!

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this granola taste like?

This birthday cake granola tastes exactly how it sounds- like birthday cake! It has a light, sweet flavor that really gets that cake batter taste thanks to the mix of vanilla and almond extracts.

Where can I find healthy sprinkles?

Healthy sprinkles aren't easy to find, but you can usually buy them at Whole Foods or on Amazon.

What kind of oats should I use?

You should use rolled oats or old fashioned oats. Steel cut and quick cooking don't have the right texture and will not bake up well.

Can I add additional ingredients?

Absolutely! If you'd like to add additional ingredients for nutrition, try mixing in flax seeds or hemp seeds. You can also add white chocolate chips, chocolate sprinkles, chopped dark chocolate, or anything else you can think of after the granola has baked!

a green bowl of birthday cake granola broken into clusters.

Did you make this recipe?

If so, I would appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Also, follow me on Instagram and tag me or use #incoleskitchen so I can see what you make and share it!

Print

Birthday Cake Granola

birthday cake granola clusters in a bowl on a white plate.
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Birthday Cake Granola is a fun, yet healthy recipe. It's easy, simple, and made with just a few ingredients in under one hour. This colorful granola tastes just like a classic birthday cake, although this recipe is gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free!

  • Author: Nicole Radcliffe
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 Minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 10 Servings 1x
  • Category: Granola
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 cups gluten free oats
  • ½ cup chopped almonds
  • ½ cup unsweetened coconut
  • ½ cup honey
  • ¼ cup avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ⅓ cup sprinkles
  • ⅓ cup white chocolate chips (Optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
  2. In a large mixing bowl combine oats, chopped almonds, shredded coconut, salt, and sprinkles and stir well
  3. To the dry ingredients add the honey, avocado oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until well combined
  4. Dump the granola mixture out onto the baking sheet and use your fingers to press it into an even layer
  5. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges become a rich, golden brown color
  6. Take the tray out and if you want to add white chocolate chips, now is the time to sprinkle them on top of the granola
  7. Let the birthday cake granola cool completely and white chocolate to harden (if added) before breaking into clusters and enjoying.

Notes

  • Gluten Free Oats: If you want your homemade granola to be safe for those on a gluten free diet, be sure to use oats that are certified gluten free.
  • Honey or maple syrup: For this granola I actually prefer to use honey because I feel like the flavor of maple syrup masks the "birthday cake" flavor, while honey enhances it. However, maple syrup will work as a honey substitute in a pinch
  • Optional add-ins: You can add ingredients like flax or hemp seeds before baking, but other like the sprinkles or white chocolate chips need to be added after baking
  • Use your hands: I found that using my hands to mix was easier once the honey was added.
  • Make ahead: If stored properly, homemade granola will last for up to 2 weeks. It's great to prep for a busy week if you need an easy breakfast or healthy snack!

Keywords: homemade birthday cake granola, cake batter granola, granola with sprinkles

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag me — I can't wait to see what you've made!

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Hey, I'm Nicole! A self-taught baker, who loves to share classic desserts with a modern twist. Most recipes can easily be made gluten free or dairy free so there's something for everyone to enjoy!

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