Maple Granola

Simple to make and wonderfully tasty and crunchy!

• Ready In: 2 hrs
• Yields: 8 cups

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup  vegetable oil (like soy, peanut or corn)
• 2⁄3 cup dark amber maple syrup (grade A or B)
• 1  tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 cup toasted wheat germ
• 1⁄4 cup sesame seeds
• 1⁄2 cup  shredded unsweetened coconut
• 3 1⁄2 cups rolled oats
• 1⁄2 cup  green  pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
• 1⁄2 cup cashews, coarsely chopped
• 1⁄2 cup  whole almond, coarsely chopped
• 1  cup  mixed dried fruit (such as currants, diced pears, dice apricots, cranberries, raisins, blueberries or chopped dates)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees F.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the oil and syrup and heat, stirring, over low heat. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla extract.
3. In a large bowl, toss together the wheat germ, sesame seeds, coconut, oats, pumpkin seeds, cashews, and almonds.
4. Add the syrup mixture and stir to coat evenly.
5. Spread the granola mixture out on a baking sheet.
6. Bake until golden brown, about an 1 hour and 30 minutes.
7. Stir the mixture occasionally while baking so it toasts evenly.
8. Transfer the warm toasted granola to a large bowl and stir in the dried fruits and let cool.
9. Store in a tightly sealed container a room temperature for 2 weeks or freeze for up to 2 months.