Fruit and Nut Granola

Once upon a time, my sister Janae sent me her delicious homemade granola recipe.  I've adjusted it here and there to make it my own and boy do we love it.  I actually hadn't made it in several years and finally made a batch last week.  My husband teased me about making way too much, then proceeded to devour about 3/4 of it within a week.  So yes, it makes a lot, but I wouldn't be too worried about that.  This stuff is great as a snack on it's own, or in a bowl with some milk, or our particular favorite way to eat it: on top of some fruity yogurt.  It is slightly sweetened, nutty, crunchy, and chewy.  And very adaptable--adjust to include whatever kind of nuts or fruit you want (dried cherries and apricot bits are especially good, or a bag of mixed dried fruit it a nice easy way to get some variety in there).

Fruit and Nut Granola

Number of Servings: makes about 8-9 cups of granola
Time to Prepare: 40 minutes

• 4 cups old fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
• 1 1/4 cups sliced almonds
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/3 cup craisins
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/3 cup golden raisins
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup applesauce
• 1 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp coconut extract
• 1 T cinnamon

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Mix oats, nuts, fruit, and coconut in a large bowl.

Mix brown sugar, applesauce, honey, vanilla, coconut extract, and cinnamon in a small bowl.  Pour over the oat mixture and stir well to combine.

Spread mixture on two ungreased baking sheets and bake for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice during baking.  (I also like to switch the pans halfway through so they both get time on the lower rack and the higher rack.)

Pour onto waxed paper sheets and allow to cool completely before storing.

Source: adapted from a recipe my sister sent me
Produce Used: Coconut