Homemade granola.

I LOVE homemade granola!  This has been my hand’s down favorite recipe.  We make this every other month (kept in an airtight container) it is perfect!  I make half the batch with dark chocolate and half without (hubby is allergic).  It does make a lot of granola I promise, it won’t last long 🙂  Perfect for yogurt parfaits for breakfast.  Top ice cream for dessert or just eat a handful when you need a snack.  This is also a wonderful gift idea for friends or during the holidays.  Totally addictive!

Ingredients:

8 c of rolled oats
1.5 c of wheat germ
1.5 c of oat bran
1/4 c of chia seeds
1/4 c of flax seed meal
1 c of sunflower seeds
1 c of slivered toasted almonds
1 c of cashews
1 c of chopped walnuts
1 tsp of sea salt
1 1/4 c of maple syrup
1 tbl of raw honey (or processed honey or agave)
1 c of vegetable oil
1 tbl of ground cinnamon
1 tbl vanilla extract
2 c of dried tart cherries (or blueberries, raisins or craisins)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees.

Combine the oats, wheat germ, flax, chia, oat bran, sunflower seeds, cashews, almonds, walnuts and salt in a very large bowl.  In a separate bowl (or you can use your sauce pan) combine the maple syrup, honey, oil, cinnamon and vanilla.  Bring to a boil over medium heat.  Whisk until completely blended.  Then remove from the heat and pour over dry mixture.  Mix well and then spread on 2 baking sheets.  Make sure you have one layer in each pan. You can bake additional cookie sheets as needed.

Bake until crispy and toasted brown.  1 hour and 20 minutes.  Cool and then add your mix-ins.  Chocolate, dried fruit etc.  Store in an airtight container or ziploc baggie.

 

— Knead to Cook