Granola

This blog was requested by my sister-in-law, Jenn. Homemade granola. I have been making my own granola for several years after working in a bakery and making it there. Once I realized how easy it was there was no going back. Store bought granola is EXPENSIVE! Plus, granola is super versatile and there are countless variations which makes it fun to experiment with. This recipe is compiled from a few different ones that I have used and so far it is my favorite. It is delicious when mixed with yogurt and berries or just eaten dry out of the container.

Homemade Granola

Melt and mix:
1 1/2 c. butter
1 1/2 c. honey
1 1/2 c. brown sugar

Add to melted liquid:
2 tsp. almond extract
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix dry ingredients:
9 c. rolled oats (about 6 “bulk bin” scoops)
1 c. wheat germ
1 c. oat bran
1 c. sunflower seeds
1 c. pumpkin seeds
1 c. coconut
1 c. coarsely chopped almonds
1 c. coarsely chopped pecans
1 Tbs. cinnamon
1½ tsp. salt

Optional Additions:
2 c. dried fruit (raisins, dates, cranberries, apricots pieces, etc.)

*The quantities of these ingredients are pretty loose. I just scoop what looks like a cup from the bulk bins at Henry's Farmers Market, no need to measure exactly.

Mix dry ingredients:

Melt liquid then add extracts:

Pour liquid over dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Depending on how big your "scoops" of dry ingredients are, you might need more liquid. It should just cover all the granola but not be soupy:

Spread one layer of granola (about ⅓ of the mixture) on a cookie sheet with a deep edge.

Bake at 350°F for 20-24 minutes, stirring every 4 minutes until golden brown. (You pretty much need to just hang out in the kitchen for this part, if you don't watch it, it will burn very easily!) The granola is not going to look like it is doing anything until that final stir and it will start to look brown on the bottom and you know it is time to take it out. It will still be soft and gooey.

Take out of the oven and pour granola onto a large piece of parchment paper, spread out into a single layer and let mixture cool/ harden.

Carefully lift up the parchment paper and hold the ends together to make a "tunnel" and pour into an airtight storage container. This will naturally break up the granola into small pieces.
Repeat steps with the remaining granola mixture. Add in dried fruit if desired.

Then serve! This was my breakfast this morning - yogurt, berries and granola. And if I do say so myself, it was a delightful way to start my day!