Maple Granola Snack

This very easy-to-make sweet treat adds a delightfully chewy and crunchy bite to your breakfast yogurt, parfaits, or as a snack by itself.   *This granola can be stored in an air-tight container in the freezer.   CandiAnne's Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch of recipe pages on all sorts of categories that were put out by Eat Smart New York which is part of the Cornell Cooperative Extension. These pages were funded by them and the USDA Food Stamp Program.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack, Vegetarian
• Cuisine: American
• Cooking Method: Bake, Mix it up

Ingredients

• 21 oz old fashioned oats
• 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup almonds (Substitute or add walnuts, pecans, almonds, etc.)
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup dried cherries (Subsititute or add chopped dates or any other dried fruits such as cranberries or raisins)
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl combine all the ingredients except the dried fruit until thoroughly coated.
3. On a large sheet pan lined with parchment paper, smooth granola mixture into an even layer.
4. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring every ten minutes to ensure even toasting.
5. Add dried fruits and combine. Allow to cool completely.