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I am not a huge breakfast eater.  I just don’t like most breakfast dishes-eggs, milk, carb loaded pancakes… But I try to eat something every morning before I get too busy and forget and then become ravenous at 11:30am. I love yogurt, cottage cheese, cereal and granola.  There are a ton of granolas on the market, but if you ever look at the sugar content it is crazy! Not to mention that a bag about 7oz is normally around $8!

So, I have come up with a granola that everyone in the family eats either for breakfast, with yogurt or milk, or for a snack after school.  And, if I am feeling really organized and cupcakey, some days I will send some in their lacrosse or football bag for a snack after practice. But, lets face it, that is rare, but it sounds really good!
Keep in mind, as with most of my recipes, just adjust the ingredients to your liking.  This is not rocket science-its granola. And, hell I guess you could order pizza for breakfast if you mess up.  Didn’t we all eat pizza for breakfast in college?  And we turned out ok…..

 

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Granola

Makes about 6 cups

3 cups regular oats (not instant)
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup dried cherries or Craisins
1/2 cup dried apricots (chopped)
1/3 cup walnuts
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (unsalted)
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup butter, melted 

Preheat oven to 350°

In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients-oats, almonds, cherries, apricots, walnuts, sunflower seeds.  

In a medium sized bowl, combine vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar, honey and butter.  Pour over oat mixture.  Mix well so that everything is covered in honey and butter.  

Spread into an even layer on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake for 15 minutes.  Stir and bake an additional 5 minutes.  Do not let over cook.  You want it crunchy, but not burnt. But, depending on your oven you may need to cook longer.  

Let cool completely before breaking into pieces.  Store in an airtight container (I like mason jars) for about 2 weeks.

Other ingredients you might want to add:

Shaved coconut
Raisins
Pumpkin seeds
Cashews
Pistachios
Pecans




Needed Items