Easy Homemade Granola

When it comes to homemade granola there's a fine line between delightfully delicious and tree barkishly bland. This recipe will make your whole family's tastebuds jump for joy! Our version of the recipe makes 10 cups so there's plenty to eat and plenty to share. We've also substituted the water for apple juice to sweeten it a little more, it works beautifully with either liquid though.

Homemade Granola
adapted from FamilyFun: Cooking With Kids cookbook

Shopping list:

- 6 cups rolled oats
- 1 and 1/2 cups wheat germ
- 1 and 1/2 cups chopped walnuts or almond slivers
- 3/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1 cup dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, etc.)

How to:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. In a large bowl stir together oats, wheat germ, nuts, sesame seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Make a hole in the center of the dry ingredients you just mixed. Now add the oil, honey and water.
4. Gently toss the mixture until well combined. Spread into a large baking pan.
5. Bake the granola for 40 minutes or until lightly brown. Gently stir the mixture every 10 minutes to avoid sticking.
6. Once completely cooled stir in dried fruit.

Enjoy! I'm always looking for new recipes, do you have one your family loves?