Homemade Granola

If you've never made granola at home, you should give it a try! It makes for a great breakfast or addition to your brunch, not to mention it's a much healthier option to sugary cereal. You have to do it right, of course, adding good quality ingredients that can be pretty much anything you like - dried fruits, nuts, coconut, seeds.... all things that are good for you! Here's my recipe, but go ahead and add whatever you like to it!

MARIA'S GRANOLA RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts (or walnuts)

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries

1/4 cup raisins

5 tbs honey

1-2 tbs maple syrup

5 tbs olive oil

(Other possible ingredients: dried apricots, cashew nuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, ground cinnamon)

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, combine oats, nuts, and shredded coconut. Add honey, maple syrup and olive oil and mix well. (Don't add the cranberries or raisins yet.)

Preheat your oven to 350 deg F, and spread your granola mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 - 30 minutes (depending on your oven), stirring the granola halfway through the baking time, and add the dried cranberries and raisins to it 5 minutes before baking time end.

This granola makes for a delicious and nutritious breakfast, either with milk or yoghurt (vanilla is a good choice!) and some fresh fruit! A great way to start your day!

*OR.... package it nicely in a little bag and add some ribbon and this recipe, and it makes for a cute little gift!*

I'm linking to Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts

and Sugar&Spice at Seven Thirty Three