Last December, I started watching the Martha Stewart show while I walked on the treadmill in the mornings. December was a particularly fun month to watch because of all the great recipes, gift ideas, and crafts. This recipe came from a segment on her show. It’s not only a great snack, but it a great idea for gift giving.
As for me, my favorite way to eat this is just like breakfast cereal in a bowl with milk. I think it tastes like a better version of the expensive fruit & nut cereals in the grocery store. Now I don’t know how it compares in price if you are buying small packages of the ingredients. I happen to get all the free honey I want from my bee-keeping brother-in-law. (Since his honey is SO good & since I get all I want for free, I really should not make fun of his hobby anymore!) I buy my pecans & dried fruit in large quantity at Sam’s Club. Other than those ingredients, the rest is very inexpensive. Feel free to adjust the fruits & nuts to your taste. Last Christmas, I made this pecan/cranberry version and an almond/cherry version.
Fruit & Nut Granola
Yield: 8 cups
Ingredients:
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit (I have used cranberries, cherries, & blueberries)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 °F, with racks in upper and lower thirds.
Lightly coat two rimmed baking sheets with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine oil, sugar, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Add oats and pecans; stir to combine.
Divide mixture between sheets. Bake 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add 1/2 cup coconut to each sheet; bake until mixture is golden brown, 15 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets. Stir in dried fruit.
