Fruited Granola

Sydney Mike's Note:

This recipe makes up a delicious breakfast treat or even a nice-tasting munchie. It comes from the Famous Brand Name Recipes cookbook 'WHOLE-WHEAT COOKING.' Preparation time DOES NOT INCLUDE the time needed in Step 9 to "cool completely in pan..."

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 20

• 3 cups quick-cooking oats , uncooked
• 1 cup sliced almonds , unblanched
• 1 cup honey
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter or 3 tablespoons margarine , melted
• ½ cup wheat germ
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 cups whole wheat flakes cereal (or whole-grain cereal flakes)
• ½ cup golden raisin
• ½ cup dried sweetened cranberries
• ½ cup pitted dates , chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Spread oats & almonds in single layer in 13"x9" baking pan.
3. Stirring frequently, bake 15 minutes or until lightly toasted.
4. Remove from oven & set aside.
5. In large bowl, combine honey, butter, wheat germ & cinnamon until well blended.
6. Add oats & almonds, tossing to coat completely.
7. Spread mixture in single layer in baking pan.
8. Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Remove from oven & cool completely in pan on wire rack.
10. Break mixture into small chunks.
11. In large bowl, combine oat chunks, wheat cereal, raisins, cranberries & dates.
12. Serve with yogurt or milk, if desired.
13. Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 2 weeks.

Reviews

[kiwidutch]

I adore dried fruit and rolled oats and whole grain cereal flakes so was very surprised that I liked this recipe so much less than your other posted granola recipe (that I have tried and loved). Personal preference IS everything as other reviwers loved this a lot ~, so DO try this for yourself... but for me at least I * think* that the combination of dates and dried cranberries was the sticking point, two very different flavours that I just didn't love together in the end. Never mind, you can't win 'em all and for me I now know that I can go back to your other granola recipe that *was* a hit for me. Please see my Rating system: it was good to have tried. Thanks!

[Sweet Baboo]

I don't know about your house, but my people scarf home made granola for breakfast and snacks so it is hard to keep a supply on hand. What a great idea to mix cereal flakes with baked granola. I admit to taking liberties with the recipe...I used old fashioned oats, sugar free maple syrup instead of honey, whole grain flax flakes, orange flavoured craisins, and sliced dried apricots for the fruit. It is such a visually beautiful mixture, and the flavour is delicious, not overly sweet, which is my preference. The recipe says it will serve 20, and I say "HA", and it says it will keep two weeks, but I know it will be gone in days.

[PaulaG]

This makes crunchy nuggets that blend well with the fruit and wheat flakes. The directions do not say to cook on parchment or prepare the pan in anyway. I would highly recommend one of those methods as mine stuck to the baking pan and was successfully chiseled away. DH is really enjoying this with vanilla soy milk.