Everyone's Favorite Granola

                                                                   
                                                           

                                              
                                            Granola and vanilla yogurt - my favorite breakfast!


This is so good that friends tell me I should sell it! I haven't made this in a while, and I was just caving yogurt and granola so I decided to give it a go. The thing I love most about this recipe is that it's all natural.  No additives.  Check store bought granola and see what's in it.  This is really easy. Just assemble your ingredients, mix a few things together, and pop it in the oven.  Here are some hints. Place parchment in your baking pans, clean up will be soooooo much easier!  Keep an eye on this while it's in the oven.  I check it every 15 minutes and give it a stir to keep the color even. When you take it out of the oven, it will seem a little "gooey", but as soon as it cools it crisps up.  Let it cool completely before you transfer it to a storage container so it doesn't stick together.

                                                                 

                                                                  Assemble your ingredients.

I will give you a basic recipe, but add and subtract what you like.  The original recipe called for raisins, I use Craisins because I like them better. It also called for one cup of cashews, but I don't use them.  You could add any other kind of nut you like, or none if you have allergies.  The original recipe calls for brown sugar.  I used to make it with brown sugar, but have now substituted coconut sugar.  If you don't want to spend extra, use brown sugar; it tastes just as good.  I also always use coconut oil, but you can substitute any healthy vegetable oil. I have also added finely chopped dried apricots, other dried fruit, or sunflower seeds.  It pretty much depends what I have in the house. 

3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup shredded coconut, I use the sweetened
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey (you can substitute REAL maple syrup)
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar or coconut sugar
1/4 cup coconut or vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins or Craisins

                                                       Let the granola cool completely!
                                                                                          

Mix oats, coconut and almonds together in a large bowl. If you are adding cashews or other nuts and them to the bowl also.  Mix oil, honey and salt in a small bowl.  Pour over oat mixture and stir well to make sure the liquid is incorporated into all the oats.  Spread on two pans prepared with parchment.  I use rimmed cookie sheets.  Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  Check and stir every 15 minutes. and when half the cooking time is over, switch the pans on the racks.  Let cool completely. Mix in Craisins, sunflower seeds or any other ingredients.  Transfer to tightly covered storage container.  I like these giant, 2 liter mason jars, but any container with a tight fitting lid will do. Enjoy!

As always, I welcome questions or comments.  Feel free to comment in the comment section below this post. 

Happy Cooking!
Carol

a.k.a. Nonnie