Granola

Tara first introduced me to this recipe and I love it! It's fun to make different varieties. I usually make the original recipe, minus the sesame seeds and raisins. Or I make the toffee granola (So so good), minus sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, raisins, and dried fruit. The toffee granola is more of a snack/dessert. It makes a great treat to give to a neighbor. This is the regular granola. I had some today and it was yummy.


Combine in a large bowl:
6 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped nuts
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup sesame seeds

Then coat with:
1/2 cup oil
2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup honey
Spread on two rimmed cookie sheets and bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Add 1/2 cup raisins and 1 cup chopped dried fruit. Bake 5-10 more minutes, until golden brown.

Variations:
Double coconut and pecans
Mango, pineapple, papaya, and macadamia nut
Cranberry and almond (can add white chocolate chips also when cool)

Toffee Granola
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
5 T water
In a large pot cook over high, stirring constantly 6-7 minutes. (Have your granola ready to dump in.) When the mixture is the color of a paper bag remove the pot from the heat. Quickly dump in your granola and stir to coat. Spread on wax paper to cool. You can also use this toffee recipe for popcorn.