Snack Time - Granola

Kids need snacks.  And, the inner grocery store aisles are filled with convenience snacks to fulfill that need but along with the convenience can come high sodium, trans fats and mommy guilt.  The solution in our house this weekend was a batch of granola.

Our version is an adaption from a recipe found in Whole Grains cookbook that accompanies the Vitamix dry container.  The appeal of this granola recipe is no oil, no stove top heating and minimal cooking time.

And here's how it went...

Preheat oven to 350

Dry ingredients:

2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds (hulled)
1/4 cup coconut flakes'
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup dried cranberries

**Side note:  If you haven't embraced weighing your dry ingredients, give it a try.  The digital ones are becoming readily available and are more economical than ever before. Weighing ingredients (when appropriate) is time saving and super easy.**




Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Meanwhile combine the following wet ingredients in a blender:

1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup of packed brown sugar
1/4 cup of hot water
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon

If you don't have access to a high power blender that will heat the liquid, blend wet ingredients then pour into a microwave safe bowl; heating in the microwave until warm but not boiling.

Blend until steamy.

Pour wet into dry and stir.

Spread into a 9 x 13 baking dish

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes; stirring every 5 minutes.

Store cooled granola in a jar or large storage bag.

Granola is great mixed in yogurt, eaten cereal-like with a little milk, sprinkled atop muffins or

pancakes or anywhere else you want a little crunch.  It is also excellent all by itself.

Enjoy!