Healthy Fig Gifts for Christmas

Fig Granola and Fig Trail Mix take minutes to prepare, store well in the refrigerator and are ready to eat in minutes, making them ideal gift ideas for Christmas.

Each is packed with the wholesome goodness of dried figs, almonds or sunflower seeds, plus some extras. Healthful alternatives to sugary cereals and snacks, they make good stocking stuffers for children or health food enthusiasts.

FIG GRANOLA

4 cups oats

1/2 cups sliced almonds

1/2 cup sunflowers seeds

1/2 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

1/3 cup oil

1/4 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup chopped dried figs

Place oats in ungreased 15x10-inch jellyroll pan and toast at 350 degrees 10 minutes. Add almonds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, sesame seeds, coconut and brown sugar, stirring to blend and pressing out any lumps in brown sugar.

Combine oil, honey and vanilla and add to dry ingredients, stirring until dry ingredients are well coated. Return to oven and bake 25 minutes longer, stirring occasionally to brown evenly. Cool, stirring occasionally until crumbly, then fold in figs. Store tightly covered in refrigerator. May be served as snack, sundae topping or with milk as cereal. Makes about 8 cups.

FIG TRAIL MIX

1 1/2 cups chopped dried figs

1/2 cup toasted almonds

1/2 cup cashews

1/2 cup banana chips

1/2 cup coconut

1/3 cup semisweet chocolate pieces

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

Combine figs, almonds, cashews, banana chips, coconut, chocolate pieces and pumpkin seeds. Store, tightly covered in decorative jars, at room temperature for immediate use or in refrigerator if made ahead for longer storage. Makes about 4 cups.