Homemade Granola

This is one of my girls absolute favorite snacks and when we make some it doesn't take long for it to disappear. Jerry and I love to put some on top of vanilla yogurt which makes a great breakfast or snack. I know that this school year there will be a lot of granola finding its way into Julia's little lunch box.

Julia loves helping Mommy in the kitchen making granola.

Granola
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 to 1/2  teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 cups oatmeal, old fashioned not instant
1 cup pecans, walnuts, or almonds, or mix
3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup dried fruit

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silpat sheet. Mix honey, maple syrup, oil, water, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in small saucepan. Warm over medium heat until the male syrup and honey has lost its thickness. This will take just a couple of minutes.
2. Mix oatmeal, nuts, and coconut together in large bowl. Pour honey mixture over dry ingredients and mix well. Pour mixture out onto large baking sheet and spread in even layer.  
3. Bake stirring and respreading mixture into an even layer every 5 minutes, until granola is light golden brown, about 15to 25 minutes.

4. When the granola is finished cooking mix in the dried fruit and let the granola cool. Store in an airtight container. I find that it lasts longer if stored in a glass container rather than a plastic one.