Down to Earth Granola

Source: Better Homes and Gardens

4 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups raisins and/or dried cranberries (I usually leave this out since I'm not always fond of dried fruit in my cereal, but it makes a great trail mix if you leave it in.)

Preheat oven to 300º. In a large bowl mix the oats, almonds, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. In a small saucepan warm the oil and honey. Carefully stir in the vanilla (be careful because it bubbles up). Pour liquid over oat mixture. Stir gently with a wooden spoon; finish mixing by hand if needed.

Spread granola in a 15x10x1 inch baking pan. Bake 40 minutes stirring carefully every 10 minutes. Cool on pan on a rack. Stir in raisins or cranberries.

Store in airtight container. Will keep 1 week at room temperature or 3 months in freezer.

I talked about this recipe HERE.