Yen Family Site

Vanilla Granola

This is yummy as a breakfast cereal, or sprinkled over yogurt. 

Yield: About 8 cups

Ingredients:
4        cups old fashioned rolled oats
1        cup roughly chopped raw almonds
1        cup roughly chopped raw pecans
1/4     teaspoon salt
1        teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3     cup vegetable oil (or half butter/half oil)
1/4     cup golden brown sugar, packed
1/4     cup honey
4        teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions:
1. Position rack to middle of oven and preheat to 300 F degrees.
2. Lightly oil a large baking sheet (it should be a lipped one).
3. Mix first 5 ingredients in large bowl.
4. Combine oil, honey, and sugar in small saucepan; bring to simmer over medium heat.
5. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.
6. Pour hot liquid over oat mixture; stir well.
7. Toss mixture until thoroughly mixed.
8. Spread granola evenly on prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes (but check after 20).
10. Transfer sheet to rack; cool granola completely.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

You really can add any type of nuts; unsweetened, shredded coconut would also be good.  I like to add one cup of flax seeds to the oat mixture before mixing with the wet stuff.  If you want to add dried fruit, add once the granola is cool.