Perfect Winter Granola Recipe

I've been searching for a great granola recipe and I think I have found a winner! My friend at What's Cooking thought this one up and I decided to share it with all of you! Kids can get into the action with this recipe, too.  

Ingredients

• 4 cups oats (not quick cooking)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 Tbs sesame seeds

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon.If using, add shredded coconut, nuts, sunflower or pumpkin seeds and flax seeds.

3. In a separate bowl, combine honey, oil and vanilla.

4. Pour honey mixture over the oat mixture and stir to combine.

5. Pour the granola mixture onto a rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven.

6. Bake at 300 degrees for 30-40 minutes, stirring gently every 10 minutes, so that the mixture doesn't burn.

7. After the mixture comes out of the oven, add any dried fruit of your choice: currants, raisins, or cranberries.

8. Once the mixture has cooled, store in an airtight container for up to 10 days.

Optional Mix-ins:

1/3 cup Dried Fruit, such as cranberries, raisins or currants1/4 cup sunflower seeds (without shells)1/4 cup Pumpkin seeds3 Tbs flax seeds1/4 cup dried and shredded coconut1/2 cup nuts: chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans or cashews