I hadn’t made Granola since the 80’s. I loved it then, and now I have fell in love with it all over again. I knew I wanted a recipe that had balanced flavors and textures including salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy. I tested many recipes using different sugars, nuts, fruits, and sweeteners. Here is our favorite recipe to date:
Ingredients:
6 c old fashioned oats
1 T cinnamon
1 T salt
¾ c maple syrup
¾ c vegetable oil
¾ c firmly packed light brown sugar
1 T vanilla
1 c sliced almonds
1 c chopped hazelnuts
1 c golden raisins
1 c dried cherries
1 c shredded sweetened coconut
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325
Spray a roasting pan with a nonstick spray or line with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, toss the oats, cinnamon and salt.
In a small bowl, whisk together oil maple syrup, brown sugar and vanilla.
Add the wet ingredients to the the oats and stir until well combined.
Add the nuts and combine well.
Spread into the roasting pan in an even layer.
Bake for about 50 minutes, stirring every 10-12 minutes. It should be golden brown but will not crisp up until it cools.
Once you remove it from the oven add dried fruit and coconut. Store in an airtight container. Will stay fresh for 2 weeks.