This is probably my most requested recipe. And I have to say, I got it from my momma...like most of my best recipes. She is no doubt the best cook I know.
It is deliciously sweet, spicy, and has the perfect crunch. Add it to Greek yogurt, berries, and dark chocolate chips in the morning or your favorite vanilla bean ice cream at night for sweet treat. My husband even just pours a bowl with milk and a scoop of peanut butter for breakfast. You are seriously going to want to try this.
Granola
Ingredients:
6 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup flax seed
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup honey
Preheat oven to 350* and spray two large cookie sheets with non-stick spray. Combine all ingredients except oil and honey in a large mixing bowl. In a small sauce pan, warm oil and honey over low heat until it is combined and thin. Pour this mixture over the granola and mix until all is evenly coated. Spread granola evenly between the two baking sheets. This is where it might get tricky. Every oven is different. But no matter what you will want to cook your granola in two phases. For me, I put mine in for 10 minutes, take it out and give it a good shake to prevent sticking and ensure even baking, then pop it back for 10 more minutes. My mom's oven takes a little longer. Use your nose...once it starts smelling wonderful, take it out and shake it, and put it back until its nice and golden. Let it cool on the baking sheet to firm up then store it in a air-tight container.
Variations:
- If you don't have wheat germ or flax seed, you can just omit this. When I run out, I usually forget to pick it up at the store since it's not very often. You might lower the amount of liquid or just bake it longer.
- Add your favorite nuts or even cranberries...this is totally customizable. I like to add some more spices in the fall, like ginger or nutmeg.
- Pumpkin!! This is delicious. Drop the oil and honey down to 1/3 cup each, and add 1/3 cup pureed pumpkin to the mix on the stove. Add more of your favorite spices and cook it for just a couple minutes longer. You will not be disappointed.
Enjoy!