Granola Madness!

Sarah's Super Granola

Peanut Butter Granola

Okay, so I know that I just barely posted a granola recipe, but I love this stuff. It's healthy and so scrumptious. (Plus I am having a blast inventing new recipes.) So far, these granolas have been a hit with family and friends. My friend Tennyson really liked the Peanut Butter one, so I am posting that recipe for him. But Leah's favorite is the Fruit and Nut one (which I like to call Sarah's Super Granola). I add in coconut oil, which gives it a wonderful sweet flavor. Whichever you choose, both are pretty amazing.

Sarah's Super Granola

8 cups rolled oats

1 cup oat bran

1/2 cup flax seed

1 cup chopped almonds

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup coconut oil

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 cup raisins

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup shredded coconut

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray two large baking sheets with oil. Combine the oats, oat bran, flax, almonds, pecans, and walnuts in a large bowl. Stir together the salt, maple syrup, honey, oil, cinnamon, and vanilla in a medium sized bowl. Warm in the microwave for about 45 seconds, or until mixture is starting to bubble. (This can also be done on the stove.) Make sure mixture is smooth. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients, and stir to coat. Spread the mixture out evenly on the baking sheets. Bake in the oven until crispy and toasted, about 30-40 minutes. Make sure you stir the granola every 10 minutes (this is very important). Cool. Stir in the raisins, cranberries, and shredded coconut.

Peanut Butter Granola

4 cups rolled oats (or 2 cups oats with 2 cups rice crispies)

1/2 cup flax seed

1/2 cup peanuts (optional)

3/4 cup maple syrup

3/4 cup peanut butter (I like using crunchy)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup raisins

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray one large baking sheet with oil. Combine the oats, flax, and peanuts in a large bowl. Stir together the maple syrup, peanut butter, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon in a medium sized bowl. Warm this mixture in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Make sure mixture is smooth. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir to coat. Spread out the granola on the baking sheet. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes (or so), stirring every 10 minutes. Cool. Stir in the raisins.