Low Fat Crunchy Granola

This is a granola that is not made with fat and has more wheat bran than most recipes. I have also added oat bran and wheat germ. If I have them I add slivered almonds along with the pecans or walnuts.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 14
• Yields: 14 cups

Ingredients

• 1  cup brown sugar (I used a scant 1 cup)
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1  teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 8  cups rolled oats (old fashioned)
• 1 1⁄2 cups  chopped pecans or 1 1⁄2 cups walnuts
• 1  cup  wheat bran
• 1  cup  oat bran
• 1  cup wheat germ
• 1  cup coconut
• 1  cup sunflower seeds

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 275º.
2. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
3. Combine brown sugar and water in a 4-cup microwave proof glass measuring cup or bowl.
4. Place in microwave on high for 5 minutes and cook until sugar is completely dissolved.
5. Remove from microwave, add vanilla and salt.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, nuts, wheat bran, oat bran, wheat germ, coconut, sunflower seeds, and brown sugar syrup mixture.
7. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
8. Spread the granola onto cookie sheets and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or until golden and crunchy.
9. Stir every fifteen minutes.
10. (I use a very large stainless steel bowl instead of a cookie sheet) After baking you may add raisins, dates, or any other dried fruit.
11. Yield 14 cups (before adding fruit).