Granola is nice to have around for many reasons. It's a great breakfast or snack, it's the perfect yogurt topper, and it's yummy on ice cream. Of course, our favorite is this Chocolate Granola, but this recipe comes in second. You can easily add or substitute your favorite ingredients. We've mixed it up with different nuts (pecans are fantastic), as well as changed the flavoring from almond extract to vanilla. But it's that almond extract that makes this granola amazing in my personal opinion! Wait until to see how it makes your house smell as it's baking. OH YES!
Heavenly Granola
Makes 8 cups
6 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup sliced almonds (or nut of choice)
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons almond extract
Preheat oven to 325°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, almonds, and coconut. In a small mixing bowl, combine oil, honey, cinnamon, and almond extract. Pour over the oats mixture and stir until well coated. Spread on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, then stir. Bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until it just starts to brown. Remove from the oven and DON'T STIR. Let the granola cool on the pan for an hour. Store in airtight container.
Step-by-step tutorial:
Gather your ingredients. You need old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, sliced almonds, shredded coconut, vegetable oil, honey, cinnamon, and almond extract. Feel free to try different varieties. We've liked making this with pecans as well as substituting vanilla for the almond extract. You could also add things like dried fruit or chocolate chips.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 6 cups oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 cup sliced almonds, and 1 cup shredded coconut.
In a small liquid measuring cup, combine 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1/3 cup honey, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 2 teaspoons almond extract.
Pour over the oats mixture.
Stir until well-coated.
Spread the granola onto a large baking sheet. I cover mine with nonstick aluminum foil or parchment for easy cleanup.
Bake at 325°F for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through. When you remove from the oven at the end of baking, do not stir. Just let the granola cool on the pan for at least an hour. This allows the granola to have those delicious clusters.
Our favorite way to eat it is with yogurt and fruit!
I also love a bowlful covered in milk. HEAVEN!
Recipe Source: Recipe from Shanna's recipe box