Homemade Granola

I love granola but I hate buying it, because it's so expensive. It's also typically full of sugar (and other unnecessary ingredients). But why buy it when it's so easy to make your own? I have tried a couple of different recipes over the years, but this one from my friend, Jennalee (which she got from Beverly Nye's recipe book, "A Family Raised on Sunshine") is my favorite. It doesn't have a lot of ingredients and it doesn't take hours (or even one) to bake. Of course, the best thing about making your own granola (and everything else)--besides the improved health factor--is that you can put in it whatever you and your family like most. For example, the original recipe calls for peanuts, but I'm not a fan of peanuts in my granola, so I have used either a different kind of nut, or eliminated it altogether (which is how my children prefer it).

Homemade Granola

Spread 4 c. rolled oats on ungreased sheet cake pan and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Stir in:
1 c. flaked coconut
1 c. peanuts, coarsely chopped (see my above comment)
3/4 c. wheat germ

Then add:
1/2 c. honey
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix until dry ingredients are coated. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. After baking, stir in 1 pkg. dried fruit or 1 cup raisins (I prefer to use 1 c. dried cranberries, if possible, or a mix of cranberries and raisins).

See how easy? The only sugar in this granola is the small amount in the sweetened coconut (or you can use unsweetened) and dried cranberries, if you use them. And it's so tasty and sweet, there's simply no reason for refined sugar.