I have always been intrigued with people who make their own granola. It seems like so much time an effort when I can go to the supermarket and buy a box. Then I came across this recipe on sisterscafe.blogspot.com. I had company coming into town for the weekend so I thought I'd try it. It was so easy to make and much better (and cheaper) than the granola you find in the supermarket. My favorite way to eat granola is layered with a drizzle of honey, Tillamook vanilla bean yogurt and fresh or frozen berries. SO GOOD. Try it...you'll love it.

My Favorite Granola
submitted by Melanie at Sisters' Cafe

3 1/4 cups oats (Old Fashioned or Quick - any combination)
1 1/4 cups white wheat flour
1 1/3 cups shredded coconut
1/4 cup flax seed (optional) I used ground flax seed
1 cup or more coarsely chopped almonds and/or pecans
1 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
1/3 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon (I didn't use cardamom but I raised the cinnamon to 1 tsp)
1/2 tsp cardamom

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, flax seed, coconut and nuts. Set aside. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, butter, and water and heat until the butter has melted and the mixture is bubbly. Using a wooden spoon, stir the mixture together until smooth, and then stir in the salt, vanilla and spices. Pour mixture over the oats mixture and stir well to coat. Let stand for about 10 minutes.

Spread mixture on a jellyroll baking sheet, pressing into the pan. Slide it into the middle of the oven and bake until the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir. Return to the oven and bake again for 15 minutes before stirring again. Bake for another 15 minutes or until the granola is uniform golden brown and completely dry - this usually takes a total of 45 minutes (it may still seem soft but it will get crispy as it cools). Cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an air tight container. Printable recipe