Granola with Wholesome Sweeteners

I am currently compiling all of my favorite revised recipes, and I'll be sharing a few over the next few weeks.  This one is for granola.  I love to make this for ahead of time for those hurried mornings.  It's healthy and delicious!

This started as a recipe from my sister, but has been revised so much I think I might be able to claim it as mine now.

Granola



8 cups old fashioned, rolled oats
1 cup unsweetened, dry, shredded coconut (optional)
2 cups nuts, chopped (my favorites are almonds, peanuts, walnuts, and/or pecans, but you can mix and match to your preference)
1 teaspoon real salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Optional additions to add after granola has cooled: fresh strawberries, blueberries (we like frozen or fresh), banana slices, raisins, dried cranberries, dried banana pieces, date pieces, or any other dried fruit.

Mix dry ingredients (oats, coconut, nuts, salt, cinnamon) in a large bowl.  Heat honey and oil on medium heat in a small saucepan until honey lightly foams.  Remove from heat.  Add vanilla to saucepan.

Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Divide between two cookie sheets with a lip and bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes, stirring at 10 minute increments and upon removing from the oven.  Allow to thoroughly cool on cookie sheets before packaging.

I  have no idea what the shelf life on this could be because it never sticks around long enough for me to find out.  I have made some in advance and dry packed and sealed it in a jar with a seal-a-meal, and then it could last indefinitely.  This recipe requires two half gallon canning jars (one is pictured) or four quart jars.

Happy Kitchen Hint: To easily remove cooked on food after using a saucepan or frying pan, turn off burner, remove excess food from the pan, add 2 drops of dish detergent, add water, return to a warm burner.  If the remaining food is excessively stubborn, turn the burner back on with the detergent and water still in the pan and let it cook for a few minutes on medium heat (this method does not work well with coated pans...i.e. non-stick cookware).