I promised to post my basic formula for making granola. I’ve adapted this somewhat from the More With Less Cookbook, a Mennonite cookbook by Doris Janzen Longacre. I highly recommend this book. I believe it’s out of print, but it has many wonderful recipes and ideas for cooking frugally and healthfully.
BASIC FORMULA FOR GRANOLA
Preheat oven to 300º.
Combine in large bowl: 7 cups dry ingredients, including:
* At least 3 cups rolled oats
* Wheat germ
* Wheat bran or oat bran
* Cornmeal
* Grape-nuts or other cold cereal
* Uncooked hot cereals, like Ralston, Wheatena, etc.
* Sunflower seeds
* Roasted pumpkin seeds
* Shredded coconut
* Any chopped nuts, or whole peanuts
* Dry milk solids
* Spices like cinnamon or nutmeg
Combine separately: 1 cup liquids. including as desired:
* Canola oil or melted butter (I find about 1/2 cup works best)
* Honey
* Maple syrup
* Brown sugar (use 1/2 cup with 2 Tblsp water)
* Molasses
* Peanut butter
* Milk or cream
and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
(If desired, you may heat the liquids together until they are warm. A good idea when using some of the thicker items like peanut butter or molasses.)
Pour the combined liquids over the dry ingredients and stir to combine well. Spread mixture into a greased 13x9-inch pan and bake for 1 hour at 300º, stirring every 15 minutes.
Remove pan from oven; stir in, as desired:
* Raisins, either dark or golden
* Chopped dates
* Chopped dried apricots, dried apples, prunes, figs, etc.
* Dried cranberries or cherries
* Any other dried fruits you might like to use.
Cool the mixture before storing in an airtight container.
I have made countless batches of this granola over the years. My family loves it. I hope yours does, too.
Mmm...I love homemade granola, Mrs. T! Thank you for the recipe, I love all the options!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kelli
I just found your blog and have started back at the very beginning. You have such a lovely way of relating childhood memories. I have saved you in my favorites and am looking forward to some enjoyable and entertaining reading.
ReplyDeleteHi ladies,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by my kitchen table! Kelli, I hope you will have fun with all the granola options. This is definitely the best recipe I have ever found for granola.
Judy, I am so happy you are enjoying your visit at my kitchen table. I will look forward to seeing you here again!
God bless,
Mrs.T
Hi Mrs.T. I love to make granola, but I would like to have it come out in "clumps' instead of grains, if you know what I mean. Does your recipe come out fine or lumpy. Perhaps you know what is the main secret to getting it one way or the other.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Hmmmm... Well, I guess my recipe must be a sort of cross between fine and lumpy. I really wouldn't call it fine; there are some clumps, but not really clusters like you see in some cereals.
ReplyDeleteMy guess would be that the difference in the outcome has to do with the stirring. I stir mine every 15 minutes. Maybe if you stirred less often it would be more clumpy. I also think that if you let the granola cool undisturbed -- no stirring after it's finished baking, in other words --, you would probably end up with clumpier cereal. Hope this helps!