Cherry Cranberry Raisin Granola

Granola is often an over-priced treat you buy at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's when you're telling yourself that you want to eat better. It wasn't until I learned how to make my own granola that I learned both how stale and expensive store bought granola actually is. For a fraction of the price you can make a huge quantity of granola. And if that's not incentive enough, warm granola coming out of the oven is up there with fresh baked cookies. Melt in your mouth good.

This granola recipe is delicious, healthy, and easy to make. I often double the recipe and make enough to last for several weeks by storing it in an air tight container.

Breakfast

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 15 min
Total: 30 min
Yields 7-8 cups

Move oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
4 cups rolled oats
1 cup walnuts and/or pecans, crushed into small pieces
½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Mix oats, nuts, and coconut together in a large bowl.
⅓ cup canola oil
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup honey
Heat oil, syrup, and honey together in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, whisking occasionally, until warm.
Pour mixture over dry ingredients. Stir with spatula until oats are thoroughly coated.
Pour raw granola into a 9x13 inch baking dish or jelly roll pan and spread out into a even layer using a spatula.
Bake at 350°F, stirring and spreading mixture into an even layer every 5 minutes, until granola is light golden brown, about 15 minutes.
¾ cup dried cranberries
¾ cup dried cherries
½ cup raisins
½ cup golden raisins
While granola cooks in oven, place cranberries, cherries, and raisins in large bowl previously used. Mix well.
When granola is done, remove from oven and immediately pour back into large bowl with dried fruit. Mix well to combine.
Let cool to room temperature. Loosen dried granola with a spatula and store in airtight container. Keeps for several weeks.

From MakeBetterFood.com. Jan 18, 2012. (makebetterfood.com/recipes/cherry-cranberry-raisin-granola/). Adapted from Cook's Illustrated. July 1994. (http://www.cooksillustrated.com/recipes/detail.asp?docid=5312).