Cranberry Vanilla Granola

Since I shared this recipe with Marilee on Saturday, I figured I would post it here also. I originally found this recipe on the blog called Favorite Family Recipes, and have adapted it a bit to my liking after a few times of making it. It is quite simple to make and my family LOVES this stuff. We eat it with milk for breakfast instead of cereal or by the handful as a snack or on yogurt. It is really, really good and I feel like it is a little bit healthier than other things we could be eating too. :) So, here is my version of the recipe.

Cranberry Vanilla Granola
8 c. oats
1 c. sliced almonds
1 c. wheat germ
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp cinnamon
Craisins, to taste (I usually use one small bag of the Wal Mart brand dried cranberries, I think it is between 1-2 cups)
3/4 c. canola oil
1 c. honey
3 Tbsp. vanilla (use the real stuff if you have it-- it tastes much better)

Preheat oven to 300-degrees. Combine first 8 ingredients (dry ingredients) in a large bowl. In a saucepan combine oil, honey, and vanilla and bring to a boil. Let boil for 1 minute then pour over oat mixture. Mix until all ingredients are moistened. Divide and spread mixture over 2 large cookie sheets and bake at 300-degrees for 20-30 minutes. Remove from oven and leave on pans until the granola hardens (it may be a little chewy and that's ok.. if you prefer it not to be chewy at all, allow to dry completely). Break up granola and store in large Ziploc bags or containers. Serve plain, with yogurt, or with milk. Enjoy!