Guest Post by Kelly of The Nourishing Home
Everyone loves wholesome homemade granola! Besides being a much healthier option than commercial breakfast cereals, homemade granola’s crunchy sweetness makes it the perfect topping for creamy treats like yogurt, oatmeal and ice cream. And one of my personal favorites is to use homemade granola to create incredibly delicious and healthy homemade granola bars.
So whether it’s simply combined with some crispy nuts and dried fruits – or all layered up in a mason jar ready to be transformed into some oh-so-chewy granola bar treats – the delicious versatility of granola makes it a thoughtful and welcomed gift! 
“The Best Granola” Gift-in-a-Jar
The easiest way to give the gift of homemade granola is to simply combine it with an assortment of healthy add-ins, such as shredded coconut, dried fruits and crispy nuts and seeds. Then, place it in whatever size mason jars you’d like, and dress it up with a festive bow and gift tag, as described in the granola bars recipe below.
The beauty and simplicity of homemade granola is why it’s one of my favorite go-to holiday gifts. In fact, I usually keep about a half-dozen extra granola-filled jars on hand, so I always have a delicious gift ready for those unexpected “uh-oh!” moments when you realize you inadvertently forgot someone, or if I need a thoughtful gift for the host of a last-minute holiday gathering. 
“The Best Granola” Bars-in-a-Jar
Wholesome homemade granola bars are a real favorite among kids and adults alike! My real foodie recipe uses homemade soaked granola mixed with lots of other wholesome ingredients, so it really layers-up beautifully to create a stunning gift-in-a-jar! And the best part is, these bars are super easy to make and only require a few standard ingredients almost everyone always has on hand.
To create this beautiful, nutritious gift, simply layer these ingredients in a one-quart mason jar in the following order:
• 1 cup homemade granola
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup unsweetened finely shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped organic dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries or cherries)
• 1 cup homemade granola
• 1/2 cup blanched almond flour
• 1/4 cup walnut pieces
Finishing the gift – Cut out holiday-themed paper in circles the same size as the mason jar’s lid. Then, place the paper on top of the lid and seal the jar with the ring. To make it even fancier and festive, add a decorative bow and gift tag.
Baking instructions – Be sure to print out the Granola Bars-in-a-Jar Baking Instructions and include them with your gift. (I like to place the baking instructions in the Christmas card we give along with the gift jar. To make it extra festive, I place both the card and gift jar into a pretty recycled gift bag.)
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Looking for more homemade holiday gift ideas?
Check out:
• The Nourishing Home’s Top 5 Favorite Homemade Gifts-in-Jar
• 10+ Homemade Gifts for {Almost} Everyone on Your List
New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Have to Be Cliche
Oohh.. Nice! I know I’d love to get this..LOL! Thanks so much for sharing this idea, Kelly.
Thanks so much for your kind note, Prerna! Lots of blessings to you and your family for a Merry Christmas! 🙂 Kelly
Kelly,
This looks like another homerun! Can’t wait to try with the kids. Thanks for the great idea!
Rich and Annie
Thanks so much! I hope your kids enjoy it as much as we do! Blessings for a very Merry Christmas, Kelly
We love your granola recipe – my husband asks me to keep it on hand at all times 🙂 So I am so excited to change it up and make the bars! Thank you Kelly! I was just looking for more recipes in which I can use this lovely 5 lb. bag of unsweetened shredded coconut I got this month from Azure! Excited to make it and give it and eat it, of course – awesome idea!
Thanks so much, Amy! Hope you and your family have a wonderfully blessed Christmas. Blessings, Kelly
Love this, Kelly! Homemade granola is one of the gifts my kids and I plan to make later this week, but now I’m tempted to make it these granola-bars-in-a-jar instead. So creative!
Thanks so much, Stephanie! What a blessing to be a guest here and share some favorite gift ideas with you and your readers! Merry Christmas to you and your precious family, Kelly
Great post. Simple and fun gift idea, great for teachers and neighbors. My kids love granola bars and I am excited to try your healthier version. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Jenny! I hope you and your family enjoy these granola bars as much as we do. Lots of blessings for a Merry Christmas, Kelly
Love this idea! Thanks for all the great recipes for REAL food! Keep them coming! My family loves them!
Thanks, Nyla! Hope you and your family have a very blessed Christmas! Blessings, Kelly
Love this idea and love my beautiful friend, Kelly!! What a fabulous idea for teachers, baker friends, babysitters, etc. Merry Christmas!!
RuthAnn
Thanks, RuthAnn! You are so kind. Hope you have a super blessed Christmas! Blessings, Kelly
What a great idea! Everyone loves granola. I love the packaging too!
Thanks, Renee! It’s fun to creative pretty gifts of good food. Blessings for a Merry Christmas, Kelly
yum yum yum!! look so delicious! thanks for this recipe!
Thank, Abi! Hope you and your family enjoy these too! Blessings for a very Merry Christmas, Kelly
Another great recipe Kelly! I think your reading my mind as to quick healthy snacks that grown ups and kids will love. I can’t wait to try it! God bless!
I love all your recipes and articles. I am a mom of a 14 year old boy that I love dearly .Anyways Happy New Year!