Homemade Granola

(Recipe inspired by instructions from Posie Brien of King Arthur & Sift Magazine)

3 cups Old-Fashioned rolled oats (uncooked)

¾ cup chopped pecans

¾ cup chopped walnuts

⅓ cup roasted sunflower kernels (these are sunflower seeds w/out the shell)

¾ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

½ cup dried cranberries

½ cup dried raisins

½ cup dried blueberries

1½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

½ cup maple syrup

½ cup canola oil, or coconut oil, or flavor-infused olive oil

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large bowl, add dry ingredients (oats, nuts, coconut, & spices); stir to combine.

Add wet ingredients (syrup, oil)** to bowl with dry ingredients; mix well.

Pour the mixture onto the cookie sheet and spread evenly into a thin layer.

Place cookie sheet on middle rack in preheated oven.

Every 15 minutes, use a spatula or wooden spoon to stir the granola. Mix lightly but thoroughly.

Be sure to get the granola that’s near the edge of the cookie sheet to the middle, and the granola in the middle of the cookie sheet to the edge to ensure even baking. You will bake the granola for about 45 minutes.

Granola will be a beautiful, golden brown when removed from the oven.

Add dried cranberries and raisins. Stir lightly to combine.

Allow the granola mixture to cool completely on the cookie sheet, periodically stirring the granola as it cools. Granola will continue to crisp as it cools.

When completely cooled, store the granola in an airtight container.

*Feel free to add other varieties of nuts and dried fruits.

Consider nuts like almonds or pistachios, and different fruits like dried blueberries, pineapple, apples, or cherries. You can even add flax and/or chia seeds. You’ll want to limit your choices to no more than 3 of each nut or fruit option. This will keep your granola from being overcrowded, and allow it to bake & crisp well.

**After the Lenten fast, consider adding 3 tbsp of egg white to this mixture before baking. It will add a level of clustering & crunchy goodness that you may enjoy.

Submitted by: Latrece Murdock for ESC Lenten Fast 2023