Neighbor Julie’s Granola

Have you ever had fresh, warm granola right out of the oven? I hadn’t either until my sweet friend Julie brought some over to me just a few weeks after she moved into the neighborhood. Now THAT’S my type of neighbor We were instant friends ever since then. (Julie, I think we would’ve been friends regardless of the warm granola, but it didn’t hurt

She brought another batch over to me last night that she and her mom made. It was heaven sent. The smell, the texture! I love it not only for the flavor, but because it’s crunchy, but not too hard that it breaks your teeth. It’s a nice soft crunch, if that makes any sense. It’s salty and sweet. It’s just divine.

I asked her if I could share her secret recipe with you dear readers, and she consented.

Let me know how it turns out when you make it!

Neighbor Julie’s Granola

Ingredients:

· 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
· 1 1/4 cup walnuts
· 1 1/4 cup pecans
· 3/4 cup slivered almonds
· 1 1/4 cup coconut
· 2 tbsp wheat germ
· 2 tbsp ground flax seed
· 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
· 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
· 5 ounces canola oil
· 5 ounces pure maple syrup
· 1 tsp sea salt
· 2 tsp vanilla
· Optional: dried cranberries, cherries, apricots, dates, and/or raisins

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°
Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Whisk together the oil, maple syrup, sea salt, and vanilla. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix.
Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Spread the granola mixture in the pan and bake for 10 minutes. Stir, and bake for 10 more
minutes. Stir again and pack down with a pancake turner to form a solid sheet. Bake 10 more minutes, remove from oven and cool.
Break into pieces and store in a airtight container.

My favorite way to eat it is served over vanilla ice cream!