Kayla's Granola

I have loads of tasty granola recipes, some easy and basic, and some wildly complicated with fancy ingredients. And I look forward, every year, to making, and giving jars full as Christmas gifts.

Kayla and Jessika to the rescue!!

This year however, because of my knee injury, I was unable to stand for any length of time (which included time in my beloved kitchen), so my oldest daughter Jessika, and her best friend Kayla, offered to make my Christmas granola.

Since they were in charge of making it, I wanted a recipe that they would be familiar with, or had made before. I knew Kayla had a really yummy recipe that had been in her family for years, and I'm SO thankful she graciously shared with us for this year's granola-making day.
I'm also so thankful my girls (AND their friends) are talented and and careful cooks - the granola turned out BEAUTIFUL.

Granola!

We (well, THEY) added green pumpkin seeds and red dried cranberries for a festive "Christmas-color" touch, but you can use whatever fruits, nuts or seeds you prefer!
I'm sharing the recipe with you giving complete credit to Kayla and her Mom, and I hope you enjoy it!! It's quick and easy (just takes time to bake) and there's plenty of room for whatever variations you'd like... A triple recipe makes four cookie-sheets full and is a perfect amount for sharing.

Chevalier Family
'Good Morning' Granola

• 4 cups rolled oats (NOT the quick or fast-cooking oats - we used Bobs Red Mill Gluten Free Thick Cut Rolled Oats)
• 1/4 cup wheat germ (OR use 2 Tb. fine-ground oat bran or ground flax meal if you want this recipe gluten free)
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans (I prefer hazelnuts here, coarsely chopped)
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds (we used pumpkin seeds, the green color added a festive "Christmas" touch)
• 1/2 cup sweetened (or not) flake coconut
• 1/2 cup raisins - optional (I used dried cranberries; the bits of red color made the granola very Christmas-festive)
   ~~~
• 1/4 cup honey (yes, I use honey, debate the vegan-ness of this with me another time, or use maple syrup if you prefer, either is good!)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup oil (we used melted unrefined coconut oil, the final result does NOT have a strong coconut flavor)
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Gotta taste-test the
finished product!!

 Measure all dry ingredients, including nuts and dry fruit, into large mixing bowl. Stir (I use my hands) until well mixed.
In food processor or blender, mix honey, water, oil, vanilla and salt until well blended.
Pour liquid over dry ingredients and mix well with your hands, squeezing granola occasionally to make "clumps"  and work moisture into the oats.
When thoroughly mixed, spread in a thin layer on large cookie sheet or two. Squeeze some of the granola firmly into chunks or clumps if you like a more "clumpy" texture.
Bake in 250° oven for an hour, to an hour and a half, turning every 30 minutes, until granola is toasty golden colored and dried out. (You will drool the entire baking time!) Leave on cookie sheets to cool and then store in covered canister.