Pecan, Cherry + Coconut Granola Banner Road Baking Co.

The smell of sweet toasted oats bursts into the air as soon as the seal on this stunning little canister is broken. At Mouth, we love granola for it’s transparency (as well as flavor, of course). As you shake a little bit into your hand, you can see all of the ingredients. Clusters of organic oats, pepitas, sesame seeds and quinoa are interspersed with pecans, little dried cherries and coconut chips. The mix is oven-baked with extra virgin olive oil and maple syrup (a little less virtually apparent). The result is a crunchy meets chewy, tart meets sweet granola. Stock up on a couple. You (or the person you’re sending it to) will finish the canister in a flash.

It’s all the work of Chef Anne Croy, working from her family farm in Oklahoma. Anne didn’t always lead the simple life, though. She comes equipped with a fine arts degree and a mind for aesthetics from time spent in the furniture and design industry. That explains the beautifully designed label. As for the beautifully crafted granola? We can’t quite explain that except to say it must Anne’s dedication to high-quality ingredients and small-batch making.

Tip of the Tongue:

We know granola is a perfect mid-day snack or yogurt topping, but think out of the box. The toasty warm notes of this granola would be just the thing to complement vanilla ice cream. And if you’ve never tried blending granola into a smoothie (or more indulgent, a milkshake), you’re missing out. It gives a boost of flavor and texture.