Cranberry, Pecan & Golden Raisin Granola

Monica Lin's Note:

Thinking of "Starting our mornings of right" I just recently developed this granola recipe. All natural, I believe it gets your "WHOLE BODY" off to a GREAT start!! I bag up 3 oz. bags, travels great in purses & briefcases for that any time, on the go, healthy snack. I purchase most ingredients at bulk stores (Almish/Quaker)

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Serves: 60

Yield: 60.0 3 oz. b ...

• 12 cups rolled oats , & grain mix
• 2 cups cracked wheat
• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
• ½ cup golden flax seed
• ½ cup ground flax seeds
• 5 cups dried cranberries
• 3 cups pecans (roughly chopped)
• 2 ¾ cups golden raisins
• 2 cups unsalted sunflower seeds
• 1 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 ½ cups pure maple syrup (no sub)
• 1 ½ cups pure honey
• 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons dried orange peel
• 2 teaspoons nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees, I use a large turkey roaster for this recipe, you will need to have plenty of room to mix well.
2. In a large GLASS mixing bowl pour in orange juice then the orange peel, stir & set aside.
3. Put in the first 9 ingredients into the lg. roaster, I use my hands to mix, you want to separate all the fruit & rubbing with the flour keeps them from sticking back together, but more importantly it will allow the wet ingredients to fully coat all the fruit & nuts.
4. Returning to the lg. glass bowl, add the remaining ingredients. Using a wire whisk beat until emulsified. They will start to take on a cloudy appearance. Pour over the dry ingredients in the roaster. using a large metal spoon stir together very well, I will usually spend at least 5 minutes or more on this, it does make a difference.
5. Using glass (5-6 pcs)or metal baking pans with sides (4-5 pcs) pour mix into required pans to keep mix less than an inch in the height of the pans. Bake in center position for a hour, mixing bottom to top every 15 minute. Remove from oven & stir once more, leave in pans to cool. Do not over bake, it will continue to crisp as it cools.
6. Will keep in air tight containers for 2 weeks or in freezer for 4 weeks.