HOW TO MAKE GRANOLA

How to Make Granola image

Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup sweetener such as: 1 cup clover honey OR 1 cup pure maple syrup OR 1/2 cup honey + 1/2 cup brown sugar OR 1/2 cup pure maple syrup + 1/2 cup brown sugar OR you can even use 1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup organic coconut oil or vegetable oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter (or substitute more oil for a vegan version)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Pinch kosher salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
5 cups rolled grains (usually oats, but five-grain rolled grain cereal is also great)
4 cups nuts and seeds (any combination of sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, sliced almonds, chopped pecans, walnuts, pepitas, cashews, etc.)
1 cup of dried fruit (dried blueberries, chopped dried apricots, chopped dried mango, raisins, dried cranberries, etc.)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two large rimmed cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
In a large bowl, toss together the rolled grains and/or oats, nuts, and seeds. Don't add the fruit yet! You'll add that after you've baked the granola. (The dried fruit is added after it's baked).
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey, syrup, or brown sugar (or a combination), butter, and vegetable oil, stirring occasionally, until butter is melted and ingredients are fairly well combined. Add the cinnamon, pinch of salt, and/or vanilla extract if using.
Pour the honey/butter/oil mixture over the grain/nut/seed mixture, and toss until evenly coated.
Spread granola on cookie sheets and bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until the granola turns golden brown.
Let cool, then toss in the dried fruit.
Store in an airtight container (it should keep for up to a month at room temperature).