Crunchy Granola With Nuts and Dried Fruit

from Everyday Food, 12 December 2011. Use whatever nuts, seeds and dried fruit you like best. Great for gift giving around the holidays! Original recipe found here: http://www.marthastewart.com/868725/granola-pecans-and-dried-fruit

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Yields: 8 cups

Ingredients

•  nonstick cooking spray
• 1⁄3 cup  vegetable oil
• 1⁄2 cup light-brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄2 cup honey
• 1  tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 3⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fine salt
• 3  cups rolled oats
• 2  cups  nuts, coarsely chopped, such as pecans, hazelnuts, walnuts, etc
• 1  cup sweetened flaked coconut
• 1  cup  dried fruit, such as cranberries, raisins, etc
• 1  cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds.
2. Lightly coat two rimmed baking sheets with cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, combine oil, sugar, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Add oats and nuts; stir to combine. Divide mixture between sheets.
5. Bake 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add 1/2 cup coconut to each sheet; bake until mixture is golden brown, 15 minutes more.
7. Let cool completely on sheets.
8. Stir in dried fruit and chocolate chips, if desired.
9. Note - Store in airtight containers, up to 3 weeks. Also can be frozen for longer storage.