Orange Vanilla Granola

Last night I made a batch of granola I had primised to my gram at Christmas. I used a recipe given to me by a family friend as the base recipe. Of course I couldn't help tweaking it a bit and giving it my own little twist. It turned out SO yummy! I made a second batch for myself today! I give this recipe to you with a word of caution. It's addictive!

Ingredients:

5 cups large flake or old fashioned rolled oats.
3/4 cup warm water
3/4 cup brown sugar ( you can use less if you wish)
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp orange extract
1 tsp vanilla extract

*Optional*
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Measure out oats and sit aside

Combine all other ingredients ( except optional ones) and mix well.

Stir the oats into the wet mixture. Ensure they are coated well. If there is some excess liquid that's ok.

Mixture should now look like this.

Pour onto a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper.

Bake In a preheated oven in 200 (250 if your oven runs on the cooler side) for 2-3 hours. Stir at least twice, waiting until at least an hour to stir the first time. This will ensure you get some good clusters of granola. Remove from the oven when granola is ALMOST at your desired crunchiness/ dryness. It will harden some more while cooling.

Once granola is done baking and you have removed it from the oven, stir in almond slices, coconut and dried cranberries if you wish.

Store in an air tight container for up to 3 weeks. Enjoy as a snack on its own, as cereal with milk, or with yogurt.