Fruity Granola

Some eat it for breakfast
Some eat it for dessert

Some eat it at home
Some eat it at work

Some eat it on plane
Some eat it on a train

Try your best to keep it on hand!

This granola can be served with milk, ice cream, yogurt or fresh fruit.  It looks absolutely lovely in a mason jar presentation.

2 1/2 cups old fashion rolled oats* (not quick cooking)
1/3 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup oat bran*
1 cup rough chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts)-your choice, I use a mix of these
1/4 cup canola oil
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon maple syrup
3 tablespoons honey
1/2-3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dried berries (cranberry, blueberry, raisin, cherry)-your choice. I use a mix of the ones listed…or whatever is on hand. (omit berries if you are not a berry fan!)

Don’t add berries until after granola is completely cooled and ready to package.

Combine first four ingredients in a large bowl.

Put remaining ingredients (less berries) in a heavy pan on stove top, using a whisk to stir continuously. Bring to a simmer and remove from heat.  Pour over oat/flaxseed/nut mixture and toss well to coat.

Divide and spread out on one large or two small rimmed cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.

Place one sheet pan in preheated oven at 325 degrees. Bake for 11 minutes then stir well-spread out and cook for another 11 minutes total cooking time is 22 minutes (do not over cook-see note below).  Repeat if using 2 cookie sheets.  Place cookie sheet on baking rack to cool completely.  When completely cooled, crumble the granola or break it into large shards.

In addition, you can add any, or all, of the following before packaging: Mini chocolate chips, sweetened or unsweetened coconut and other dried fruits.

Do not overcook or it will get very sticky. Do not package before completely cooled or it tends to stick together…it still tastes amazing either way so don’t discard if it does happen.

Just before packaging, it’s time to add the berries!

*use gluten free oats and oat bran if you are making gluten free granola