Fruit & Nut Granola

INGREDIENTS:

⅓ cup maple syrup

⅓ cup packed light brown sugar

4 teaspoons vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup canola oil

5 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats

2 cups raw almonds, chopped coarse

1 cup dried goldenberries, chopped

1 cup dried tart cherries, chopped

 

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.  Place oven rack on middle position.

1. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, and oil.  Mix well.
3. Fold in oats and almonds until thoroughly coated.
4. Transfer oat mixture to baking sheet and spread evenly (about ⅜ inch thick).  Using a stiff metal spatula, compress mixture until very compact.
5. Bake until lightly browned, 40 to 45 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking.
6. Remove granola from oven and let cool on baking sheet  to room temperature.  Break cooled granola into pieces of desired size.
7. Stir in goldenberries and tart cherries.  (Granola can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.)  Serve.