Fruit and Nut Granola

This post is long overdue.

I am a granola person.  It's just how I roll.  Not only that, but I'm a picky granola person.  I like my granola just so.  And maybe that's why I've waited so long to make it for myself.  I wouldn't want to force down a batch of bad granola.. yuck.

This granola is my jam!

 I'll eat granola in just about any way- alone, with milk, with yogurt, in a banana wrap (we've discussed these, no?), in a cupcake (comment if you want me to post that recipe!), whatevs.  I love it.  My baby is super jealous of my granola-eating because it's one of the things he just can't have yet- it's full of deliciously nutty nuts, chewy (chokeable) fruit and crunchy oats.  Certainly not baby-friendly, but definitely mommy-friendly.

I like this particular recipe for its heathfulness.  It uses applesauce and honey for sweetness and is just swimming with flax seeds, nuts and fruit.  I can't wait to make another batch and try out other flavor combinations.  I'm thinking chocolate coconut.. or something with macadamia nut.. yum.

If you make your own granola, does that officially make you 'Granola?'

I think it probably does.

I'm unofficially crunchy, officially granola.

Officially.

Homemade Granola

adapted Chocolate and Carrots and Gourmande in the Kitchen

• 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 2 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
• 1 1/2 cups puffed rice cereal (wheat works, too)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup natural unsweetened apple sauce (I made my own here by simmering a peeled, chopped apple in an inch of water until soft, draining the apples and then pureeing until smooth)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups chopped raw mixed nuts (by "mixed," I just mean a variety. I used a mix of cashews, almonds, pecans and walnuts)
• 1/2 cup flaxseeds (this is a lot of flaxseeds! if you're not used to them, reduce by half or more)
• 2 cups dried fruit (I used a mix of black raisins, golden raisins and dried cranberries)

1. Place two oven racks on the top and bottom 1/3 of the oven.
2. Preheat the oven to 300°.
3. Set aside two baking sheets with sides lined with a silpat liner, parchment paper or aluminum foil.
4. In a large bowl, combine both oats, puffed wheat, cinnamon and salt.
5. In a separate bowl, combine the apple sauce, honey, brown sugar, canola oil and vanilla extract.
6. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
7. Pour the granola on the baking sheets, splitting evenly between the two baking sheets.
8. With your hand, squeeze or pinch the oats together into small/medium clumps leaving space on the baking sheet between the clumps.
9. Place the baking sheets in the oven for 20 minutes (one on the top, one on the bottom).
10. While that is in the oven, chop your nuts and combine them in a bowl and set aside.
11. With a large spatula flip over the granola and add the nuts to the baking sheet.
12. Bake for another 20-30 minutes, until completely dry and golden brown.  (The dry part is important!  You don't want soggy granola- it won't store well or last long.)
13. Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheets.
14. Once cool, add in the dried fruit.
15. Store in airtight containers (I recommend glass, like large mason jars) and enjoy.