Granola

Critters in the Kitchen

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup coconut
1/2 cup dried fruit (optional)

Preheat oven to 300F.
In a large 4 quart saucepan melt the butter, sugar and water together. Stir it well and let it simmer for about 2 - 3 minutes. Stir the salt and vanilla in and then add the oatmeal, nuts, seeds, and coconut. Remove the pan from the stove and stir up the granola until everything is moistened. Put the granola onto a cookie sheet with sides.

Bake for 10 minutes. Stir and put back in oven for another 10 minutes. 

 Continue to bake until it is golden brown (be careful not to let it burn). Remove the pan from the oven and allow the granola to cool in the pan. When it is cool, break it up into small pieces and transfer it to a container with a lid. Add the dried fruit when you put it into the canister