Homemade Granola

The fall season is definitely here, the mornings have been cool and foggy while the afternoons still feel like summer.  With the change in the weather, I’ve been thinking more about cozy things and comfort food.   At the beginning of the week I made our favorite Salmon Chowder followed by Chicken Rice Soup, and ended the week with Beef Stroganoff.  The one thing we’ve been enjoying almost everyday for breakfast and for snacks is Homemade Granola!

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When the chill is in the air, I love to warm the house with something baking in the oven.  The lovely scent of cinnamon, vanilla, honey, or sweet sugar always takes that bit of the chill away.  I baked the first batch of homemade granola at the start of the fall season and continue to bake more as we need it . If you have never made granola before, it’s a great time to try it. This is a super easy recipe and is so good for you.

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Have fun with this recipe, change it around, add what you like, take out what you don’t need, make it sweeter or crunchier, substitute maple syrup for honey, ….. you get the idea.

Print recipe, here
{Makes about 8 cups}

Ingredients
4   cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1   cup nuts {sliced/whole almonds, walnuts, pecans,…}
1   cup dried fruit {cranberries, raisins, apricot, apple, figs,…}
½ cup seeds {sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds,…}
½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
½ cup honey
¼ cup canola oil
4   tablespoons brown sugar
1   teaspoon cinnamon
1   teaspoon vanilla

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In the picture above were the ingredients used in the recipe:  {top/clockwise} shredded coconut, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, cranberries, sliced almonds, brown sugar, vanilla, honey, canola oil, rolled oats, and cinnamon.

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1.  Preheat oven to 300˚F.

2.  Line a rimmed baking sheet {13″  by 18″} with parchment paper or lightly coat it with cooking spray.

3.  Set aside dried fruit for later.

4.  In a large bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon.  Pour the mixture on to the baking sheet, spread evenly.  Bake, stir once or twice while baking, the mixture will be golden brown after about 50 minutes.

5.  Remove the granola from the oven and add dried fruit to the mixture, stir and let cool completely on a wire rack.

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Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

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A simple and healthy breakfast of granola, fresh pear, and Greek yogurt to start the day.

Print recipe, here

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posted by Kay