homemade vanilla granola

so i just realized that if i didn't post a recipe IMMEDIATELY it would be the first month in the history of stick a fork in it to have NO posts. sad day. can't let that happen. where's the devotion people?

i've actually been trying a bunch of new recipes lately, i've just been too lazy to share. most of which come from this amazing lady. her stuff is just good. i promise.

this recipe however is not from mel. i've been wanting to make my own granola for awhile now. don't call me a hippy. it comes from favorite family recipes. (notice how i just linked you to the recipe, but for the sake of liz will basically just copy it onto our blog. lovely.)

this stuff is amazing. i don't think i will ever buy storebought granola again. landen downed the container (along with both girls) faster than i could blink. it's wholesome and yummy and has lots of vanilla. perfect with milk for breakfast or in a baggy on the go.

HOMEMADE VANILLA GRANOLA

*i halved this recipe, and it made the perfect amount for a week at our house

8 c. oats
2 c. sliced almonds (i sliced up my own so i had some yummy chunks)
1 c. wheat germ (refrigerate after opening... i found out LATER)
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp cinnamon (yeah right... i used like a pinch and it was fine)
craisins or raisins, to taste (we love lots of raisins at our house... and they were the perfect sweet bit for me)
3/4 c. canola oil
1 c. honey
3 Tbsp. vanilla (use the real stuff if you have it-- it tastes much better)

Preheat oven to 300-degrees. Combine first 8 ingredients (dry ingredients) in a large bowl. In a saucepan combine oil, honey, and vanilla and bring to a boil. Let boil for 1 minute then pour over oat mixture. (i seriously thought my vanilla had burned at this point. it left a funny smell and even after i baked the granola it smelled funny. hang in there... it doesn't taste funny). Mix until all ingredients are moistened. Divide and spread mixture over 2 large cookie sheets (i covered with parchment) and bake at 300-degrees for 20-30 minutes. Remove from oven and leave on pans until the granola hardens (it may be a little chewy and that's ok.. if you prefer it not to be chewy at all, allow to dry completely). Break up granola and store in large Ziploc bags or containers. Serve plan, with yogurt, or with milk.