Simple Delicious Homemade Granola

 

This has always been a favorite for us.  We mostly snack on it instead of having it for breakfast.  It's also great on yogurt!  The taste is so much better than store bought plus I think its much cheaper.  The ingredients are always in the pantry and I like knowing exactly what is going into it.

One thing, make sure you use the old-fashioned oats.  Quick oats make the texture powdery, not crisp, and it tastes like raw starch (blah)

Please send sunshine soon hugs ~

Homemade Granola

• 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup nuts chopped coarse (I use slivered raw almonds.)
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup dried fruits (I use dried cherries)

Preheat oven to 300° F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or spray lightly with oil instead)

In a large bowl combine the oats, coconut, nuts of choice, and salt.

In a small saucepan set over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup, honey, and vanilla. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and toss together, making sure all the dry ingredients are coated with the butter mixture.

Spread onto the baking sheet and bake on center rack for 25 minutes.  Stir and then bake about 10 minutes more until golden brown.

Do not stir and let cool.  The granola will still be a little sticky when you remove it from the oven but it becomes crisp as it cools and if you don't stir it until it cools you will get some nice little yummy chunks.

Once the granola has completely cooled stir in your choice of dried fruits if desired.

Store in an airtight container or plastic bag. It will keep for up to 2 weeks.