Homemade Granola
By Annie Copps

Monday through Friday, I eat breakfast on the go—usually a cup of coffee and a bowl of yogurt with granola. Store bought granola can have some hidden ingredients, too much salt, and sugar as well as extra calories that may not be the best way for you to start the day.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish Time: 1.5 hours
Yield: about 5 cups

Ingredients
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole almonds
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1 cup raisins or chopped dried cherries

Directions
Heat oven to 250.° In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except raisins (or cherries); make sure oats, almonds, and coconut are well coated with sugar, syrup, and oil. Spread out on one large baking sheet (or two small sheets). Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes for even browning.

Remove the sheet from the oven and let cool on wire racks. Scoop or pour granola into a large bowl, add raisins or cherries, and mix well. Store in well-sealed containers at room temperature up to two weeks.

(Courtesy: Yankee Magazine)
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Annie B. Copps is a senior editor at Yankee Magazine. Annie oversees the magazine's food coverage, both as an editor and as a contributor of feature stories and columns.