Mom's Homemade Granola

After finding out she was diabetic, my mom couldn't eat her favorite granola because it made her blood sugar spike. So, she came up with this recipe, and it's so much better than the store-bought because it's healthier and you can make it just how you want to. It makes a lot, and it keeps well in airtight containers. Now I like this recipe with no sugar and lots of raisins.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 64
• Yields: 2 gallons

Ingredients

• 42  ounces quick oatmeal
• 1 (16 ounce) bag  shredded coconut
• 1 (10 ounce) bag  sliced almonds
• 2  cups  oat bran
• 1  tablespoon sea salt
• 2  cups Splenda granular, sugar substitute (optional) or 2  cups sugar (optional)
• 3  teaspoons cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon clove
• 1  teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 1⁄2 cups canola oil
• 2  cups hot water
• 2  cups honey
• 3  tablespoons vanilla
• 1 (24 ounce) box raisins or 1 (24 ounce) box  other dried fruit

Directions

1. In a (large) dish pan mix dry ingredients (oatmeal through nutmeg) until evenly dispersed.
2. In a microwaveable bowl, mix wet ingredients (oil through vanilla).
3. Microwave on high for one minute to combine if needed.
4. Pour liquid over cereal mix.
5. Stir with spoon to moisten everything. Add a little water if necessary.
6. Spread into four large greased roasting or baking pans, about 1 to 1 1/2 inch deep works best.
7. Bake at 250 degrees for 120 minutes, stirring after 40 minutes, breaking up large clumps.
8. After cooking, let cool on stove. Granola will dry out a little more in this stage, so don't overcook it while baking.
9. Spread raisins over top of dry granola.
10. Scoop into airtight containers. Raisins will mix evenly into granola in this stage.