Recipe Club: Homemade Granola

I love a good granola, but something I probably love just as much is how amazing it makes the house smell while it’s cooking!  Homemade granola allows you the opportunity to make different variations depending on what ingredients you have on hand or what you are specifically wanting for that batch.  

 

Here is the recipe I use for homemade granola, but keep in mind, you can add to or alter this recipe however your heart desires! 

Here’s what you need:

4 cups old fashioned Quaker oats

1 pinch of salt

1 tablespoon cinnamon (or your favorite spice!)

1 cup sliced almonds and walnuts (or your favorite nut and/or seed!)

½ cup of dried cranberries and raisins (or your favorite dried fruit!)

¼ cup melted butter (or oil)

A heaping ¼ cup of brown sugar and honey combination

2 teaspoons vanilla 

Begin by preheating oven to 300º F and line a baking sheet with foil.  In a large bowl, mix together dry ingredients (old fashioned oats, nuts and dried fruit), along with spices (salt and cinnamon)   In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter and vanilla with the brown sugar and honey combination. 

 
Pour the liquid mixture over the top of the dry ingredients and stir to incorporate. 

Spread the granola evenly on the foil-lined baking sheet.  Bake for around 30 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Note: If you want granola chunks, don’t stir while baking.  If you prefer smaller pieces, stir about every 10 minutes.

I like to top yogurt with homemade granola, but it's great with milk too.  You can also top muffins with granola midway through baking or toss some onto ice cream or froyo.  No matter which way you eat it, you’ll enjoy this recipe.  And, don’t be afraid to use different ingredients to create variations of this simple recipe!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on one of our favorite recipes!