Almond Granola with Dried Fruit

By KimberlyB

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup packed (2 1/3 ounces) light brown sugar
• 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups (10 ounces) raw almonds, chopped coarse
• 2 cups raisins or other dried fruit, chopped

Details

Preparation time 15mins
Cooking time 60mins
Adapted from cooksillustrated.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.


2. Whisk maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in large bowl. Whisk in oil. Fold in oats and almonds until thoroughly coated.


3. Transfer oat mixture to prepared baking sheet and spread across sheet into thin, even layer (about 3/8 inch thick). Using stiff metal spatula, compress oat mixture until very compact. Bake until lightly browned, 40 to 45 minutes, rotating pan once halfway through baking. Remove granola from oven and cool on wire rack to room temperature, about 1 hour. Break cooled granola into pieces of desired size. Stir in dried fruit. (Granola can be stored in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.)

Keys to Chunkier Granola

PRESS DOWN

Spread oat mixture onto parchment-lined baking sheet. Press it firmly with spatula to create compact layer.

BAKE BUT DON'T STIR

Bake granola at 325 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. Rotate pan halfway through baking but don't stir.

BREAK UP

Break cooled granola "bark" into pieces as large as you'd like.