Elise’s Homemade Vanilla Granola

I love making my own granola. Not only do I feel like I am saving money, but homemade granola tastes SO much better than granola from the store. I don’t care what anyone says, homemade granola trumps anything you can find at the store. Elise gave me this recipe and it is delicious! It’s good with yogurt or milk, but it is also great just plain! We have been putting it in sandwich bags and taking it on roadtrips and picnics just to munch on.

8 c. oats
2 c. sliced almonds
1 c. wheat germ
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp cinnamon
craisins or raisins, to taste (optional)
3/4 c. canola oil
1 c. honey
3 Tbsp. vanilla (use the real stuff if you have it– it tastes much better)

Preheat oven to 300-degrees. Combine first 8 ingredients (dry ingredients) in a large bowl. In a saucepan combine oil, honey, and vanilla and bring to a boil. Let boil for 1 minute then pour over oat mixture. Mix until all ingredients are moistened. Divide and spread mixture over 2 large cookie sheets and bake at 300-degrees for 20-30 minutes. Remove from oven and leave on pans until the granola hardens (it may be a little chewy and that’s ok.. if you prefer it not to be chewy at all, allow to dry completely). Break up granola and store in large Ziploc bags or containers. Serve plain, with yogurt, or with milk.