Granola

It’s so easy to create a batch of homemade granola, and you can customize it to your preferences; low or no sugar, no nuts, a lot of nuts and seeds, favorite spices…

• 4 cups rolled oats (rolled wheat or barley can be substituted)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (allspice, ginger, or even cardamom can be used)
• 1 scant teaspoon salt
• 5 to 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/3 cup honey – optional or can be reduced
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups of chopped nuts and seeds – almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, pepitas, sunflower seeds.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a large bowl, mix together the oats, cinnamon and salt.

In a small bowl, mix together the butter, honey and vanilla.

Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and spread them onto a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven, stir the granola, and add almonds.

Return the granola to the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven, stir and add the remainder of the seeds and nuts. Bake for 10 minutes.

Allow the granola to cool before placing in an air tight container. The granola will keep for several weeks.

Variations: Dried fruit can be added after the granola has cooled. Peanut butter (1/4 to 1/2 cup) can be added to the butter mixture, and shredded coconut can be added with the last nut addition.

Recipe by Jane Blaisdell, 2020.