Home made organic maple granola with fresh fruit

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup + 2 T dark brown sugar
• 1 cup cashew pieces
• 1 cup dried cranberries or other dried fruit – ie; chopped figs, chopped prunes or chopped dates
• 1 cup raisins or other dried fruit – ie; chopped figs, chopped prunes or chopped dates
• fresh fruit
• ¼ cup + 2 T maple syrup
• ¼ cup vegetable oil; peanut oil preferred
• 3 cups rolled oats
• ¾ t salt
• 1 cup slivered almonds

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 250* F.
2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, salt and brown sugar. Add in the maple syrup and oil and mix thoroughly.
3. Spread mixture thinly and evenly onto two cooking tins with sides about ½ inch high.
4. Cook for 45 to 60 minutes stirring carefully every 15 minutes and inter-changing where the cooking tins are placed every time you stir. This will give you more even browning.
5. Note: The granola is done when it has a nice tan color, not dark, and can be chewed easily.
6. Remove trays from oven. Let granola cool; then mix in dried fruit and place in sealed plastic bags. It will keep for two weeks, unrefrigerated.

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