Mama's Super Granola

This is one of my favorite family recipes.  I have been making this recipe for ever.  My mother gave it to me and we have been making it since the 70's.   It is delicious and taste good as a breakfast cereal, on top of yogurt or just good for snacking.  I love giving this away as gifts, especially during the holidays.  It looks beautiful in glass jars or a simple cellophane bag with a ribbon and hang-tag.  Enjoy!

Mama's Granola

Dry ingredients/Group One
8 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups wheat germ
1 1/2 cups oat bran
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 tsp. salt

Wet Ingredients/Group 2
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup honey
1 cup coconut oil or canola oil
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Add ins:
1 cup dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, blueberries, cherries, apricots (you can mix a combination of fruit as long as it is about 1 cup)
optional 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut

Assembly:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Line two large cookie sheets with parchment or aluminum foil.

In a large bowl mix all ingredients from group 1.

In a sauce pot, over medium to low heat, stir together group 2 ingredients.  Bring to a boil then pour over dry ingredients in group one.   Spread out evenly on cookie sheets.

Bake for 20 minutes in oven, until toasted.  Stir once or twice during cooking.  Cool, then stir in dried fruit and coconut.  I package them in cellophane bags and give as gifts and I keep a few bags for me.  You can half this recipe as well.

Special Note:  You can change up the spices. I often use a bit of nutmeg or ginger if I can find dried peaches.  I love dried apples with cinnamon and clove.  Try coconut, dried banana chips and nutmeg.  The combinations are endless.  You can have so much fun with this recipe.  I also love adding pumpkin spice and pumpkin seeds with golden raisins.