Granola

I absolutely love eating homemade granola! I remember always eating it growing up and it still never gets old. After trying out a few recipes I've collaborated them and created this one. Enjoy!!!

                  

Homemade Granola
*this makes a ton! It made two gallon size bags about 3/4 of the way full for me so maybe half it if you don't need that much.

Ingredients:
9 Cups old fashioned oatmeal
1/2 lb shredded coconut
3 cups chopped pecans, walnuts or sliced almonds
3/4 cup raisins

1 1/4 c brown sugar, firmly packed
1 1/2 c water
1 1/4 c vegetable oil
1 c honey
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp vanilla

1 pkg dried cranberries
3 Cups Corn flakes

In a very large bowl, blend the first 4 ingredients. Then in a large saucepan combine the second group of ingredients and heat until the sugar is disolved, but do not boil. Pour syrup over dry ingredients and stir until well coated. Spread into 3 jelly roll pans/cookie sheets (this may seem like a very thin layer but that is what you want, trust me). Bake at least 35-45 minutes at 300*, turning after 20 minutes. Cool and add Corn flakes and dried cranberries or other fruit if desired. Store in airtight containers in a cool dry place.

* the nice thing about this is you can add as much of the coconut, nuts, raisins, dried cranberries, or any other ingredient you want to your liking. Other ideas that I've seen but i never seem on hand to add are... 1c wheat germ, 2 c sunflower seeds, and 1 c sesame seeds. Just make it how you like and have fun with it! :) My favorite is adding the corn flakes because it's like i'm making my own honey bunches of oats cereal!