Birthday Cake Granola

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!

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*

• 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

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

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.

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

Did you make this recipe?

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