That's Grrrreat Granola!

Name: That's Grrrreat Granola!
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 cups
Ingredients: 6 cups rolled oats; 1 cup wheat germ; 3/4 cup raw sunflower seeds; 1 cup walnuts or 1 cup almonds, chopped coarsely; 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom; 1/2 cup corn oil or 1/2 cup canola oil; 1/4 cup honey (I used orange blossom flavored honey); 1/4 cup brown sugar ("Sucanat") or 1/4 cup unbleached cane sugar ("Sucanat"); 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract (NOT imitation); 1/3 cup raisins; 1/3 cup tart dried cherries; 1/3 cup dried strawberries

Submitted by COOKGIRl

"A modified granola recipe from the Alexander Homestead Bed and Breakfast in St. Augustine, Florida as found online. I took twists and turns with this recipe. *Please* be sure you start with fresh ingredients-especially the wheat germ and nuts as they are notorious for going rancid quickly. Mmmm, try the granola over plain or flavored yogurt!"

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Ready In:: 55mins
Ingredients:: 13
Yields:: 6 cups

ingredients

6 cups rolled oats
1 cup wheat germ
³⁄₄ cup raw sunflower seeds
1 cup walnuts or 1 cup almonds, chopped coarsely
1 ¹⁄₂ tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 ¹⁄₂ teaspoons ground cardamom
¹⁄₂ cup corn oil or 1/2 cup canola oil
¹⁄₄ cup honey (I used orange blossom flavored honey)
¹⁄₄ cup brown sugar ("Sucanat") or 1/4 cup unbleached cane sugar ("Sucanat")
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract (NOT imitation)
¹⁄₃ cup raisins
¹⁄₃ cup tart dried cherries
¹⁄₃ cup dried strawberries

directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, walnuts or almonds, cinnamon and cardamom.
In a heatproof glass bowl, microwave the oil, honey and brown sugar for 1 minute. Stir in vanilla extract. Stir oil/honey mixture into oatmeal mixture and combine well. (The mixture will not be very moist.).
Divide and spread the oatmeal mixture onto 2 baking sheets.
Bake in preheated oven for about 40 minutes; check the granola periodically and stir to avoid burning. Bake an additional 15-20 minutes or until medium golden brown.
Turn off heat and allow granola to cool in oven.
Stir in the dried fruit. If necessary, add more cinnamon or cardamom, to taste.
Store granola in airtight container and refrigerate.