Chewy Trail Mix - Paula Deen

This trail mix is chewy not crispy like granola. It sticks to your ribs! You can tailor the fruit mix to your liking. The condensed milk is the key to the chewiness (without being brittle). This takes five minutes to stir together and bake!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 2  cups granola cereal
• 3⁄4 cup  coarsely chopped pecans
• 3⁄4 cup  coarsely chopped walnuts
• 1 (3 1/2ounce) can flaked coconut (1 1/2 cups)
• 1⁄2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1⁄2 cup wheat germ
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1⁄4 cup  vegetable oil
• 1  cup banana chips
• 1⁄2 cup dark raisin
• 1⁄2 cup golden raisin
• 1⁄2 cup dried cherries
• 1⁄2 cup  dried apricot, diced
• 1  cup  M&M'

Directions

1. In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except dried fruit (banana chips and raisins, cherries and apricots) and m&m's.
2. Mix well.
3. Spread evenly in an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet-spray foil with Pam (makes for easy clean-up).
4. Bake at 300 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes (I like to leave some large clumps and break apart when cool).
5. Note: Check at 40 minutes. Sometimes it's done. It will harden when cooled.
6. Remove from oven. I like to immediately remove trail mix onto another pan or cookie sheet to cool.
7. When warm, stir in banana chips, raisins, cherries and apricots.
8. Cool thoroughly and add chocolate candies.
9. Store tightly covered at room temperature.