Tonight, I made granola. My favorite thing to eat for breakfast is granola with yogurt. I always use store-bought granola to add to my vanilla yogurt but today, I decided to make my own.
I saw this recipe a long time ago and bookmarked for future use. Today, while looking for recipes for tomorrow’s dinner, I stumbled upon the recipe (once again).
This is incredibly easy to make and fairly quick. You can constantly change-up the ingredients and flavors.
Confession – I left it in the oven a minute or two too long and it got a little burnt. I didn’t really mind it, but when I make this again I will watch it more carefully. Also, halfway through eating it, I realized that I completely forgot the add the dried cherries. Again, I didn’t mind it at all. Tomorrow’s breakfast will be incredibly delicious.
Ingredients:
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut*
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup sliced almonds (1 oz)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup green (hulled) pumpkin seeds, sometimes called pepitas (1 1/2 oz; not roasted)
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup mild honey
Pinch cinnamon
Pinch salt (flaky sea salt is wonderful in here)
1 cup tart dried cherries
1/2 cup dried blueberries
1/2 cup dried pears (1/4 inch dice)
1/2 cup diced dried apricots (1/4 inch dice)
1/3 cup golden raisins
- or -
2 3/4 cups mixed dried fruit of your choice (I used pears, apricots, strawberries, cherries and cranberries)
Directions:
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F. Stir together all ingredients except the fruit in a large bowl until combined. Spread mixture evenly on a large (17-by 12-inch) shallow baking pan lined with parchment paper and bake, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes, but checking every five minutes after the 15-minute mark because it burns quickly.** Transfer granola, in pan, to rack to cool stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes.
Stir in dried fruit.
Granola keeps, frozen (the fruit’s moisture softens granola if not kept frozen) in an airtight container, a few months.
