Rich Nutty Granola

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 5 1/2 cups rolled oats, not instant
• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 1 cup wheat bran
• 2/3 cup oat bran
• 2/3 cup flax seed, golden
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup amaranth
• 1 cup wheat germ, raw
• 1 cup textured vegetable protein, flakes
• 1 1/2 cups almonds, sliced
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup sorghum
• 2 -3 tablespoons clover honey
• 2 tablespoons walnut syrup (or other desired flavor)
• 1/4 cup splenda granular
• 3 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• nonstick cooking spray
• dried fruit (optional)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• 2 combine "dry ingredients" in a large bowl.
• 3 heat "syrup ingredients" in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring, until smooth. reduce heat to low.
• 4 add syrup mixture to dry granola, about 1/4 - 1/2 cup at a time, mixing granola to coat evenly.
• 5 lightly spray two cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray. divide granola-syrup mixture in two and spread each half on a cookie sheet, making sure the granola makes an even layer that reaches all the way to edges.
• 6 bake at 300 degrees for 30-45 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes to prevent burning. remove from oven & cool on wire racks.
• 7 for a small crumble texture, stir granola periodically while cooling; for clusters, allow to cool completely before gently breaking granola.
• 8 when completely cool, mix in any desired fruits and store in an airtight container (or add fruits/other toppings when serving). note: remove any cinnamon stick pieces before serving.