Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Granola

I've done it. I have finely done it! I found the granola recipe I've been searching for! I've tried making a few, and this has been the best! I wanted a recipe that consisted of basic ingredients that I might actually buy. Also, I didn't want a recipe that made 20 cups of granola. Who wants to spend three hours stirring granola while it bakes? Not me. I also wanted something versatile. I think this will work. I don't see why you couldn't substitute molasses or maple syrup for all or part of the honey, and the fruit and/or nuts - which I added - can be what ever you like. The best part was...dun...dun...dun...all my kids loved it! They've been munching on it all day!


4 c. old fashioned oats
1 c. coconut
nuts, if desired (I used about a half-cup chopped pecans)
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. oil
1/4 c. honey
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1 c. dry fruit, optional

In a large bowl, combine oats, coconut, and nuts if desired; set aside. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, oil, honey and cinnamon; bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over oat mixture; stir to coat. Spread in a large shallow baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. (I only cooked it 15 minutes and stirred it three times). Cool. Add dry fruit. Store in an airtight container.

I've also discovered that during the last five minutes, if your granola is spread real thin, or you have little straggling oats and things, they burn up easily. So, for the last few minutes, push everything together to help prevent burning.

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