Recipes: Homemade Granola

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 8 cups rolled oats (old fashioned, not quick cooking)
• 2 cups chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
2. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper (I’ve cooked it without paper also, the paper just makes clean up easier).
3. Combine brown sugar and water in a glass bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from microwave and add vanilla and salt.
4. In large mixing bowl, combine oats, nuts and brown syrup mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Spread the granola onto cookie sheets and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour until golden and crunchy.
5. When mixture comes out of the oven it is still very pliable. Break up with wooden spoon. When granola has completely cooled, store in airtight container.