Homemade Granola Recipe

Granola!

One great thing about buying foods in bulk is being able to afford lots of homemade goodies.  My hubby loves cereal, but we could easily spend $10-$20 week on that habit (once the kids got into it too!).   This is one of the base recipes I like, and as you can see is forgiving for what ingredients you have on hand.  Enjoy!

8 cups rolled oats

1 ½ cups wheat germ or 1 cup flax seeds

1 ½ cups whole wheat flour or oat bran

up to 3 cups chopped nuts, seeds or shredded coconut

1 ½ tsp. salt

½ cup brown sugar

1 ½ cups honey

1 ½ cups oil (coconut is preferred to extend shelf life)

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

1 Tbsp. vanilla

up to 2 cups of raisins, dried fruit or sweet tidbits (added at the end)

Combine the salt, sugar, honey, oil, cinnamon and vanilla in a saucepan, and heat until well blended.   In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients (except for the last line).   Pour the warm mixture into the bowl and stir well.  If you would like to add raisins or dried fruit, do so during the last 15 minutes of baking.  Otherwise, they will harden.  If adding some chocolate or carob chips, add them after baking so they melt slightly.

Spread on 2 greased cookie sheets.  Bake at 250 for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.  Store in a covered container.