Home Made Granola

The first time I made homeade granola was while working at a bakery in south carolina and since then I have always liked to have some on hand. Mixed with raisin bran, blueberries and over milk, granola is my usual breakfast in the mornings.

Two ways I like to make granola are honey almond and maple pecan. This also makes great gifts for the holidays or bazaars when packaged in cellophane bags and tied with ribbon. 

Honey Almond Granola:
4 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup almonds (sliced, slivered or whole)
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup ground plus 2 T. whole flax seeds
5 tablespoons brown sugar
5 tablespoons honey, warmed if needed or part maple syrup
4 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
optional ingredients: raisins, dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, or any dried fruit

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

In a large bowl, mix lightly the oats, almonds, coconut, flax seeds, and brown sugar. In a separate bowl mix together the honey, oil, salt, cinnamon and vanilla. Pour the honey mixture over the oat mixture and mix gently, with spatula and eventually with your hands. Spread out onto a sheet pan and bake for 40 minutes (stir after the first 20). Cool, and add dried fruit, or white chocolate if desired. Store in airtight container.

Maple Pecan Granola:
Prepare Honey Almond Granola, above, substituting pure maple syrup for the honey and pecans for the almonds. If desired, add extra maple syrup to sweeten. I like to add dried cranberries and white chocolate to this kind for gifts.

Hope you enjoy, Donna