Granola for Fanatics

Nonstick oil spray
1/2 cup plain vegetable oil
1/2 cup pure maple syrup*
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, lightly packed
6 cups old-fashioned oats*
2 cups chopped walnuts
1 cup wheat germ*
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup raisins
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries*

1. Position 2 oven racks in center of oven. Preheat to 325 degrees F. Spray two 11-by-17-inch jelly roll pans* with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2. In a 1-quart microwave-safe bowl, combine oil, maple syrup and brown sugar. Microwave, uncovered on high, 3 minutes, or until sugar starts to melt. Remove and whisk until any lumps disappear.
3. In a 3-quart or larger bowl, combine oats, walnuts, wheat germ and coconut. Toss to mix well. Pour syrup mixture over oat mixture and stir until well mixed. Place half mixture in each pan and spread evenly.
4. Place a pan on each oven rack and bake 10 minutes. Taking note of which pan was on top, remove pans from oven, stir granola and rotate pans to opposite oven rack.* Bake 10 minutes more, remove, stir and rotate pans to opposite racks again. Bake until golden brown, about 10 more minutes. Remove from oven, and cool in pans for 1 hour or until room temperature. Sprinkle half dried fruit over each pan, and stir. Serve as desired. Store in airtight containers, preferably glass jars or tins, up to 2 weeks.

* Notes

Use only real maple syrup, not artificially flavored pancake syrup. Or substitute honey.
Do not use instant oatmeal.
Wheat germ is usually found alongside cereal.
Craisins brand dried cranberries work well, and we like the cherry flavored. Or use dried cherries or any other dried fruit, cut to bite-size.
A jelly roll pan is a large metal baking sheet with a small lip at its edge. Or use roasting pans.
If oven accommodates two 11x17-inch pans side by side on one rack, it is not necessary to rotate pans.

This recipe can be cut in half.

Feel Good About: Oats are whole grains, contain lots of fiber and help scrub away cholesterol.

Approximate Values Per Tablespoon: 34 calories (39% from fat), 2 g fat (0 g saturated), 0 mg cholesterol, 1 g protein, 5 g carbohydrates, 0 g dietary fiber, 2 mg sodium

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