Mom's Granola!!

My Mom's homemade granola is awesome. I remember loving it when I was little. I finally wrenched the recipe from her! It is not an exact science... just add what you've got on hand! Get creative. Follow your taste buds... Sorry to those of you who must have exact measurements!! 

Here it is:

Mom's Granola

5 or more cups of old-fashioned whole oats (you can add quick oats... just don't make it all with quick oats!)

1 c. of toasted wheat germ

2 c. grape nuts or other substantial cereal

2 1/2 c. or more of any kinds of nuts or seeds - flax seed, almonds, pecans, walnuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds

Combine above ingredients in a large bowl. 

In a saucepan, combine:

1 stick of butter/margarine

1 c. brown sugar

1 T. cinnamon

1 tsp. salt (or more depending on how much oats you've used...)

Optional: 1/2 c. maple syrup, 1/2 c. apple juice frozen concentrate, honey, almond flavoring, vanilla, nutmeg.... be creative! 

You're just going to heat this all up and warm it until the sugar is dissolved and you want to have enough to coat all the dry ingredients... Pour it over and mix very well. 

Pour the mixture out onto baking sheets, spread it out and bake it at 350 degrees for about an hour. You must stir it up every 15 minutes and take it out when it's good and crispy!!

Add 1 c. or more of dried fruit - cranberries, raisins, etc... after you pull it out of the oven. 

Let it cool COMPLETELY before you put it into an airtight container.

ENJOY!!