Vanilla-Scented Granola

Bev's Note:

Great snack for everyone, or the for kids lunches or even as an after school treat! Serve for breakfast with yogurt and fruit or over ice cream for dessert. Watch your time in the oven because sometimes it cooks a little quickly. This recipe came from Bon Appetit, March of 2002. A few baking tips I have learned from making this recipe often: I use a jelly roll pan so the granola will have maximum exposure while cooking. Also, if you do like your granola to clump, do not stir while baking. Allow to cool in pan for about 10 minutes or so, then run a spatula between granola and the pan to loosen. You will have so many clumps you will have to break them with your hands ; )

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 8 cups

• vegetable oil cooking spray
• 4 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup golden brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Position rack to middle of oven and preheat to 300*.
2. Lightly spray large baking sheet with nonstick spray.
3. Mix next 5 ingredients in large bowl.
4. combine oil, honey and sugar in small saucepan; bring to simmer over medium heat.
5. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.
6. Pour hot liquid over oat mixture; stir well.
7. Using hands, toss mixture until thoroughly mixed.
8. Spread granola on prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake until golden brown, stirring occasionaly, about 30 minutes (but check after 20).
10. Transfer sheet to rack; cool granola completely.
11. (Can be made two weeks ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.) Makes about 8 cups.

Reviews

[Ridgely]

Very good!! I have made several granola recipes before and this by far beats them all. Besides having a great taste, how can I say this...it does not scream "health food" at you when you look at it(which can be a big turn off to the family, if you know what I mean). My two year old asked for more "cookie crumbs". They like eating it as it is, in a bowl with some milk or sprinkled on top of yogurt. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

[kaithun1]

Fantastic! Best recipe I have found. I do make a few changes. I substitute oil with cinnamon applesauce and add 1 Tbs of canola oil. omit the white sugar and increase the vanilla to 3 Tbsp. I mix applesauce, oil, honey and brown sugar in pan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and add vanilla. Then poor over oatmeal and almonds and bake. Thank you for the recipe Bev!

[kimberli]

Fantastic stuff!! This is now our official granola recipe. I've made several batches already - my entire family including visiting parents and in-laws keep raving over it. We have it over ice cream & chocolate sauce, with yogurt, etc. I did do a couple of things differently - used 1 c of very coarsely chopped almonds instead of sliced, added an extra cup of chopped pecans to one batch. I also added 1 cup wide ribbon coconut, and stir in 1 cup raisins and/or craisins after baking. Since I added more dry ingredients, I increased the amount of wet accordingly. I don't stir granola while it's baking, instead I put it into two baking sheets and rotate them every ten minutes - that way I get more clusters. Sorry this is so long - but thanks for posting this recipe! We love it!!