Homemade Granola

The ingredients in this make it kind of pricey but making granola yourself is definitely well worth it. Besides, some of the stuff like maple syrup and oats lasts forever and you can make a lot of granola for the price. You could probably get away with using honey or agave nectar instead of maple syrup. This recipe is Alton Brown's except that I use pepitas instead of cashews, 2 T less brown sugar and added cinnamon. You can swap the pumpkin seeds for any kind of nut you want. You could also substitute raisins or dried apples for the dried cranberries. The recipe is very adaptable. The coconut is the key ingredient!

3 cups oats
1 cup raw almonds (roughly chopped)
1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
3/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1/4 tsp. cinnamon *(1/2 tsp. for fall version)
*1/4 tsp. nutmeg (ground)
*1/4 tsp. cloves (ground)
1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup + 2 T maple syrup (real, preferably organic)
1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 1/4 cup dried cranberries (roughly chopped)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, pumpkin seeds and coconut.

In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, brown sugar, oil, cinnamon (plus optional nutmeg and cloves) and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans lined with foil. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.

Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add dried cranberries and mix until evenly distributed.

*For a more fall/festive/holiday spice taste