Editor's February Pick #1: Nothing Ventured ... Granola Gravel

Editor's note: For the first editor's pick of the month I was going to lead on from the previous selection but got completely derailed, you'll see why. There is a plethora of sweets on the blog - to get started you've just got to head to the dessert or sweet treat categories. I went on a 'web walk' and got lost amongst some amazing ideas so my original plan went out the window and I'd like to highlight Granola Gravel. I am a huge fan of oats in most things but especially desserts so this is a recipe I was very happy to rediscover. A perfect variation on a theme - have a look at the photos from the accompanying guide at the bottom, so good - cherries and all!

Nothing ventured … nothing gained

Okey dokey, lets get this show on the road, here's my Granola Gravel – Take 1 recipe :

Granola Gravel – Take 1

250g dark chocolate

150g M&M's hazelnut spread

175g soft butter, unsalted

4 x 15ml tbsp golden syrup

350g Granola – mixed sizes

200g glacé cherries

Put the granola into a freezer bag and bash gently with a rolling pin so that you get different sizes.

Break the dark chocolate into small pieces, or use chocolate buttons made for melting and tip them into a heavy-based saucepan to melt with the M&M's spread, butter and syrup over a low heat.

Take the pan off the heat and add the granola and cherries. Turn the mixture carefully so that all the ingredients are coated with the syrupy chocolate.

Tip into a foil tray (I use a tray bake size – 31cms x 8.5cms x 3cms or 12” x 17½” x 1¼” in old money ) smoothing the top as best you can, although it is not meant to be perfectly flat.

Fridge until firm enough to cut, which will take about 3 hours. Take the set block out of the tray. With the long side in front of you cut it into half – set one aside. Slice 6 slices down and 4 across so that you have 24 squares – this will give you a good sized cube – cut smaller if you prefer which will obviously give you more. Repeat with the remaining half.

Freeze for up to 1 month.

If it lasts that long!

Check out the before and after: