Our Favorite Granola

Every year around Christmastime, my family has made a big batch of granola for as long as I can remember. We love delivering jars of it to friends, family, and neighbors. Out of all the granolas I have ever tried, this is my absolute favorite. Enjoy with yogurt, almond milk, or by the handful!

Here’s the recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Makes: about 5 quarts

Start to Finish: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 9 cups old fashioned oats

• 6 cups quick-cooking rolled oats

• 2 1/2 cups roasted & salted sunflower seeds

• 1 cup sliced almonds

• 2 cups walnut pieces

• 2 1/2 cups coconut flakes

• 5 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 cups pure maple syrup

• 2 cups safflower oil (canola oil will work)

• 5 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

2. In a very large bowl, mix together the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, walnut pieces, and coconut flakes.

3. In a medium saucepan, combine cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla. Heat until just warm and combined.

4. Pour liquid mixture over grains and mix with a heavy spoon until just combined.

5. Spread the granola mixture into large baking sheets or into a roaster pan. Layer about 3/4 inches thick and bake for 25 minutes. Check at 20 minutes just to make sure it doesn’t burn.

6. Let the granola cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to an airtight container. Or eat some right now!

Notes:

The granola will keep for 4-6 weeks in an airtight container on the pantry shelf. I suggest storing it out of sight if you want to save any! ;)