Granola

Granola is one of my very favorite cereals and I've recently started making my own homemade. Everyone who has tried it loves it! Here's the recipe I use:

Granola

Dry ingredients:

2 cups old fashioned oats (not quick cook)

2 cups whole grain cereal (I've been using mixed grains cereals~one was a four grain mix in the bulk bins @ the grocery and one was a five grain "Bob's Red Mill" brand. )

1 cup raw, unsalted nuts, chopped or sliced (almonds, walnuts etc.)

1/2 cup unsalted sunflower seeds or coconut flakes (unsweetened preferred but not necessary)

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1 tablespoon each of ground flax seed and wheat germ (optional)

For coating:

1/2 cup Sucanat (Ifoundthis in the bulk bins at the grocery store too)

Pinch of sea salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup oil (I've used organic coconut oil but you can use other healthy oils~olive, canola, avacado etc.)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla

1/4 cup honey

Optional add ins (to be added after baking):

1 cup dried fruit of your choice (raisins, blueberries, cranberries etc.)

*Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. In a large bowl mix all of the dry ingredients well. Set aside.

*Place all coating ingredients in a small saucepan and warm on low until honey is dissolved.

*Pour coating mixture over dry ingredients and use a wooden spoon or your hands to mix until all ingredients are coated. (coating will be hot at first-use caution!!!)

*Spread the granola on a large non stick cookie sheet or you can line you baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with a non stick spray like Pam)

*Bake for forty minutes stirring often with a wooden spoon.

*Transfer to cooling rack. Add dried fruit if you like (I haven't done this yet). Let cool completely and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze.

Enjoy!

What is your favorite cereal?