Add some special ingredients to make this granola extra-festive.

One of my favourite ways to start the day is with a bowl of homemade granola but this recipe has some extra special ingredients to get everyone into the festive spirit. It can be made well in advance and would also make a lovely gift if you are lucky enough to be going to stay at someone’s house for Christmas.

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

250g jumbo oats

100g chopped hazelnuts or almonds

50g pumpkin seeds

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 tablespoons maple syrup

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

finely grated rind of 1 orange

150g dried cranberries

100g plain chocolate drops

organic vanilla yoghurt and orange-blossom honey, to serve

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 180°C

Combine the oats, nuts, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl, then drizzle over the maple syrup and mix through. Empty the contents onto a large baking tray and spread out evenly.

Toast in the oven for approximately 20 minutes at 180°C, but keep an eye on it as ovens vary – you are looking for the oats to just turn a light golden brown. Give them a mix halfway through the cooking time and add in the cranberries.

Remove from the oven and stir in the orange rind and chocolate, leave to cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container. The granola should last up to two weeks, if you don’t eat it all before then!