I originally received this recipe from my friend, Jennifer Smith, who got it from The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook (1999). I took it and ran with it...adding a few things of my own to make it even better! This is a GREAT recipe that's good for breakfast (with milk), snacking, topping for yogurt/ice cream, or whatever else you can think of!!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups regular oats, uncooked (don't use the Quick Oats)
- 1/2 cup flaked coconut
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup chopped or halved pecans
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup honey-crunch wheat germ
- 1/4 cup sunflower kernels
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey (local honey is best)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 1/2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3/4 - 1 teaspoon good vanilla (I use Mexican vanilla)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 - 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 cup dried cranberries (and/or raisins)
- Combine oats, coconut, almonds, pecans, walnuts, pine nuts, wheat germ and sunflower kernels together and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, combine honey, water, vegetable oil, brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon and mix well.
- Pour over oats and nuts and stir until well incorporated. Do not add dried fruit or candies until the mixture is cool.
- Pour in a jelly roll pan (15x10 inch) and spread evenly.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
- Open oven and slide out pan and stir mixture - then respread evenly and continue to bake for 5 minutes or until granola is golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Add dried blueberries, cranberries, raisins, or even banana chips, or any other dried fruits.
- Eat by itself or with milk for a great cereal. Top your favorite ice cream or vanilla yogurt! YUMMY!!