FRUIT AND NUT GRANOLA

Fruit and Nut Granola image

Provided by Vickey Yott Morrissey

Time 1h40m

Number Of Ingredients 10

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2/3 c maple syrup, or sugar-free maple syrup
2/3 c packed light brown sugar, or substitute splenda brown sugar
8 tsp vanilla extract
1 c vegetable oil, olive oil, or coconut oil
10 c old fashioned rolled oats (may add other types of rolled grains)
1/3 c cold milled flaxseed (optional)
1/3 c honey
2/3 c soy protein powder (bob's red mill) (optional)
3 c chopped nuts (raw almonds, pecans and walnuts)
2-3 c dried fruit including strawberries, blueberries, bananas, plums, cherries, etc.

Steps:

1. Adjust oven rack to upper middle position and heat oven to 325 derees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk in liquid vegetable oil or coconut oil.
3. fold in milled flax seed, soy protein powder, dis-solvable fiber, if desired.
4. Fold in nuts until thoroughly coated.
5. Fold in oats until thoroughly coated.
6. Spread this mixture evenly on prepared baking sheet and use a stiff spatula (sprayed with pam) until the oat mixture is very compressed.
7. Bake until lightly browned 40-45 minutes. Rotate the pan once, halfway through baking. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
8. Meantime, while granola is cooling, cut up your dried fruit. I like to use the ones that I dry without added sugar, but you can use any from the store too. Sometimes I supplement with cranberries, chopped prunes, or commercial blueberries if mine are not available.
9. Break the granola into pieces of desired size and stir in dried fruit.
10. Store in airtight container.