Homemade Granola

Ready for the oven!

 Add some pretty ribbon for a great holiday gift!

I love making granola this time of year.  It makes a great gift tucked into a canning jar with a homemade label or packaged into little gift bags.  The aroma while it's baking will fill your home with the coziest of smells!  Feel free to mix up what you add to it.  My latest version included dried cranberries, chocolate chips, pecans and shredded coconut - wow! 

 

Maple Granola

Wow, homemade cereal!  It doesn’t get any earthier than this.  If you’re avoiding wheat, use barley flour instead of the wheat flour.  For a gluten free version, try using rolled Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats and brown rice flour.

4 cups rolled oats

½ cup whole wheat pastry flour

¼ cup brown rice syrup

¼ cup maple syrup

1/3 cup safflower oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup toasted almonds, chopped

1/3 cup chopped dried apricots

1/3 cup currants

1/3 cup toasted, shredded coconut

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350° F.  In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats with the syrups, oil, vanilla and cinnamon.  Mix thoroughly.  Spread mixture on a lightly oiled baking sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden in color.  Stir the granola occasionally during baking.

Cool the granola and stir in the almonds, apricots, currants and coconut.  Store in a glass jar for up to 1 month.

Makes 6 cups