Recently we purchased a boat load of fruit…and not just because I was craving fruit salad with the rising temperatures, but because I also need to make more freezer jam as the batch I made only 6 weeks ago is already gone (and we only gave one of the 6 pints away!) and using frozen fruit this time of year seems blasphemous. But David also mentioned that he’d like some fruit with his yogurt, something he often does with granola.
So it got me thinking, “why don’t I just make some from scratch?” I don’t know why I haven’t thought of that before; if you’ve followed me for a while you know that I’m always trying to think of new ways to make he very items we normally purchase packaged. And granola is quite expensive in the store and there’s nothing quite like warm, homemade granola!
I embarked on a search by checking my favorite place, AllRecipes.com, and made a simple, no-fuss recipe that would pair well with fresh fruit and vanilla yogurt. I combined a couple recipes, took reviewer comments into consideration and focused on the two main ingredients David was interested in (maple and walnuts).
Though it takes a bit of tending to once in the oven to prevent burning, it really couldn’t be simpler to make.
Homemade Maple Walnut Granola
- 4 c. rolled (not quick) oatmeal
- 2 c. chopped walnuts
- 1/3 c. canola or vegetable oil
- 1/2 c. maple syrup
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- dash of cinnamon
- sprinkle of sea salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix oatmeal and nuts in one bowl; in another bowl, mix oil, syrup, vanilla and cinnamon. Add wet ingredients to dry mix and combine thoroughly. Spread onto 2 ungreased cookie sheets (I put mine on parchment paper on top of the cookie sheets per one reviewer, but found it unnecessary). Lightly sprinkle sea salt on top of mixture and bake at 350 degrees for 10 min. Then lower oven temperature to 250 and bake for 30 more minutes, stopping every 10 minutes to stir the mix. It will smell AWESOME in your home…trust me.
Let cool completely before storing in mason jars (but not before enjoying!)
David wanted a large bowl of yogurt, fruit and granola. Me? Not being a huge yogurt or granola fan, I went for a smaller portion and made a pretty parfait out of it (and I must admit, I was smitten!)
David said he is also interested in a version with honey and almonds which is what I’ll make next in lieu of maple and walnuts; I’m betting it’ll be just as good.
Enjoy!
