French Vanilla Almond Granola

I love granola, but it's usually so expensive at the store.  Making it yourself is far more economical, even over buying cold cereal. 

This is one of my favorite flavors, and fairly simple to make.  You can eat it with milk like cereal, with yogurt, or use it for parfaits.  My kids love the stuff too.

 

 

3 1/2 C old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick)

1/2 C sliced almonds

1/2 C water

1/2 C brown sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 C oil

2 Tbl. vanilla

 

In a large bowl mix together the oats and almonds. 

In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir the sugar and salt into the water.  Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, and stir in oil and vanilla.  Pour over the oat and almond mixture and stir until thoroughly combined.

Line a cookie sheet with wax paper, and spread the mixture out on the cookie sheet.  Bake at 200 for about 2 hours, or until all dry.

I recommend you make at least a double batch every time.  (The bake time will obviously increase, by about an hour or two.)  The less you stir it during baking the more clusters you get (we love the clusters).

Enjoy!

 

(before baking)

 

(this is a double batch, after it's done baking)

(Recipe courtesy of Donny Silver and www.deliciousasitlooks.com, and photos by Pirijo Silver.)