Homemade Granola - You'll Thank Me in the Morning!

Well, today the weather is cold.  Rainy.  Thunder.  :(  My youngest is at camp and I have been to the market to buy fruit to pretend like it's summer.  Cold and rainy weather tempts me to stay inside and make warms things.  I'm sure I'll bake something before the day is through.  I have a batch of this already in my pantry but I should make it about once a week. (I just went to the pantry to get out the granola and snap a picture of it and guess what - it's all gone.  Looks like I'm making granola, cleaning out the refrigerator, and doing the laundry today!)  My family loves to eat it for breakfast and snacks.  A special shout out of thanks to Gramma Judy for teaching me how to make it.  She doesn't measure anything (well neither do I) so I had to make it a few times to get the measurements right.  This is good for you, feeds your body, and grows your brain.  Make it today and you'll thank me in the morning.  :)

 

Granola by Kandi (and Gramma Judy!)

7 cups oats
1 cup unsweetened coconut shavings
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup pepitas
8 ounces sliced raw almonds
Pinch of Salt
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup olive oil
4 tablespoons Honey
¾ cup Grade B Maple Syrup
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 375º and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.  Mix oats, coconut, sunflower seeds, pepitas, almonds, salt, and brown sugar together in a very large bowl.  In a smaller bowl, whisk olive oil, honey, maple syrup and vanilla extract until it emulsifies which means just mix it until it all blends together.  Emulsify is a kitchen word for mixing it all together.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients and stir well to incorporate.

Divide the mixture on the two baking sheets and spread it out to an even layer.  I line my baking sheets with parchment paper and spray with a non-stick cooking spray.

Bake 20 to 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, depending on how golden you would like your granola.

Cool completely.  Stir in a cool, dry place.

Variations:
If you would like to add dried fruit, do so after the granola has cooled off.  I like to add cashews, pecans, walnuts, or pine nuts.   You can also add spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, or nutmeg.