Vanilla Granola

 

Vanilla granola with yogurt, strawberries, and blueberries - a healthy, festive 4th of July snack.  :)  

I have made another granola recipe, but I like this one better.  This one smells like cookies as it bakes, because of the brown sugar and honey in it.  It tastes like a yummy oatmeal cookie in a bowl.  The brown sugar gives the granola such a rich, deep flavor; it is delicious!  It goes really well with yogurt and fruit or milk.  I enjoy it either way. 

The recipe calls for 1/3 cup oil, I reduced it to 1/4 cup to make it a little more figure friendly.  :)  It turned out great with the reduction of oil.  The granola doesn't get crunchy in the oven, it gets crunchy as it cools.  

Happy 4th of July!

Vanilla-Scented Granola

4 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup golden brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 cup vegetable oil (I used 1/4 cup)

1/4 cup honey

2 tablespoons sugar

4 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Line a large baking sheet with foil.

Mix oats, walnuts, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl.  Combine oil, honey, and sugar in a small saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium heat.  Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.  Pour hot liquid over oat mixture; stir well.  Using hands, toss mixture until thoroughly mixed.  

Spread granola on prepared baking sheet.  Bake until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.  Transfer sheet to rack; cool granola completely.  

Hat Tip - one cake two cake