Granola Recipe

Back in the old days when I only had 2 kids, I had time to play in the kitchen.  Once I went on a granola kick and after trying out a bazillion different concoctions, the family and I devoted ourselves (for life!) to the following recipe.  We love this granola.  It tastes like Bear Naked…only better.

Ingredients:

6 c. raw rolled oats

1/3 to 1/2 c. melted butter or oil (I use butter and/or coconut oil)

1/2 to 2/3 c. liquid sweetener (any combo; I use maple, honey and molasses.  Use one, use all–it’s your call)

 1/3 c. wheat germ (optional)

 salt to taste (optional)

Additions:

1 1/2 c. chopped nuts (any combo; I use almond, walnut, pecan)

1 1/2 c. seeds (any combo; I use flax, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower)

 1 1/2 c. dried fruit pieces (any combo; I use coconut, raisins, dates and sometimes cranberries)

Directions:

1. Mix oats, oil, sweeteners, wheat germ, salt and nuts (everything but fruit).

 2. Spread fairly thin on cookie sheets or in large casserole pans.

 3. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes, stirring often.  Remove when oats begin to brown.

4. Pour into large mixing bowl, and add fruit.  Mix well.

5. Let cool, then store in airtight containers.  (We use mason jars and recycled yogurt containers.)

Notes:

*Granola will keep well for a very long time.  The longest we’ve kept ours has been a month, but that’s only because that’s how long it took us to eat the whole batch when our family numbered few.  I’m sure it could stay fresh even longer.

*This is a very forgiving recipe, so as long as you don’t burn you’ll be fine.  Portions don’t have to be exact.

 *The oats, oil and sweeteners are the base, the wheat germ, nuts, seeds and fruit are optional and can vary depending upon your preference.  Add spices, if you want!  Add chocolate!  This is an awesome recipe to use as an outline–have fun and tweak as you like.

 *On that note, other flaked grains can be used in place of, or in combo with, oats; try wheat, spelt, etc.

 *In the beginning I baked the dried fruit with the granola, but we all grew tired of slightly burned raisins.  Feel free to bake it all together though, if singed raisins are your thing.  Fruit can be added in mid-way if you want it baked only a little; toasted coconut can be very, very nice.

 *The recipe doubles (or triples, or quadruples) well.  We double or triple it every time.