CINNAMON VANILLA GRANOLA YUMMINESS

I don’t remember where I found the recipe that was the jumping off point for this granola mix.  Suffice it to say that it was one of those very basic one-is-just-like-the-next kind of recipes - oats, honey, nuts.....the perfect kind of recipe to make your own.

It took a little trial and error, and a bit of munching, to figure out our favorite version.  So have fun experimenting to develop your own signature recipe. 

Cast of Characters:

3 cups Old Fashioned Oats (not the quick kind)
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon coarse Sea / Kosher salt
1/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon (yes, Tablespoon) vanilla extract
1 cup each chopped walnuts and sliced almonds
1 cup dried cranberries

Preheat Oven to 300 degrees

I found it works well to layer the oats topped with the brown sugar then sprinkled with the cinnamon and salt.  That way the brown sugar helps to hold the cinnamon and salt in place so they don’t sift down to the bottom of the bowl.  Do not stir - yet.      

Note:  You can adjust the amount of sweetness and how dry the baked mix is with the brown sugar; level spoonfuls for drier, less sweet and mounded for moist with more sweetness.   

Next, whisk together the oil, honey and vanilla. 

My mom gave me this cute little whisk years ago.  He usually doesn't look this angry though, it must be because I tipped him over on his side.   

Pour the liquids over the dry and stir just until combined.

Spread the mix out in a thin layer on a large ungreased rimmed cookie sheet pan.  Do not pat it down; you want the mixture to be sort of loose so that it toasts nice and evenly.

Bake for 8 minutes

Remove from the oven and stir the granola well, then gently spread it out again.  Sprinkle nuts evenly over the top and return to the oven.

Bake for 4 minutes

Repeat the process stirring in the nuts, then layer with the cranberries.

Bake for 4 minutes

As soon as you take the granola out of the oven, press it down if you want it to stick together a bit. Then let set for about 10 minutes, but not too long; it’s much easier to remove if you don’t let it cool completely.  And, if you don’t have one of these dough scoops they are great, I use mine for all kinds of things. 

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It makes a great little gift. 

And it makes a bunch, about 6-8 cups worth depending on what you add in.  Speaking of add-ins, it is so easy to change this up however you want. Holidays? Add some clove and ginger with the cinnamon.  Chocolate lover?  Toss in a handful of your favorite chips with the cranberries.  Don’t like nuts, don’t add them.  Or change out the walnut and almonds for pecan and pistachios.  Ditto for the cranberries and whatever dried fruit you crave.  The possibilities are almost endless.

Enjoy!

Cindy

Oh, P.S.:  It seems weird because obviously this stuff isn’t low cal, but I’ve actually lost weight using this as my go-to snack.   Plus it keeps my energy level up.   What’s not to love?