Unreal Granola

I recently had my two youngest brothers sleep over at my house.

My toddler was in heaven.  He LOVES his uncles!

Turns out, my 15-yr-old brother was in heaven, too...at the breakfast table.

He helped himself to my big, glass jar of granola I proudly display on the counter,

gave it a cold splash of milk,

took a big teenage-boy-size bite...

and before I knew it, his eyes were bulging.

"Where did you buy this?!?" he asked.

"Umm, I made it."

"Are you serious?!"

"Yep."

"This is unrreeal."

And there you have it.

From the mouth of a 15-yr-old teenage boy.

Unreal Granola.

I make a double batch of this every time I make it (apparently, my husband and toddler are fans too).  Between this, oatmeal (or oatmeal), eggs, and sometimes pancakes, I rarely buy boxed cereal.

Unreal Granola

6-8 servings

Adapted from Perry's Plate

3 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut

3 Tbsp brown sugar (I use 2 Tbsp)

2 Tbsp milled flaxseed

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp (heaping) salt

1/3 cup honey

3 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 cup dried fruit (I use closer to 3/4 cup)

Preheat oven to 300.

Combine dry ingredients (first 8 ingredients) in a large bowl, set aside.

 In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, mix together honey and oil until smooth.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.  Pour over oat mixture and coat evenly. 

Spread out evenly on a baking sheet.

Bake about 35-40 minutes, or until golden, *stirring every 10 minutes so it bakes evenly.

Let cool and stir in dried fruit.

*This granola is delicious with milk or yogurt and/or fresh fruit!