Let me start off by saying that I’ve never been a fan of granola. It was always too crunchy or dry and I just didn’t see the point of it. That changed when I was visiting my parents in Vermont and walked into a kitchen that smelled like cinnamon and maple syrup. It was the most delicious scent! My mom was making granola. And yes, it tasted just as heavenly as it smelled.
While it is called Maine Granola, in our family we think of it as Gram’s Granola. Here is the recipe for this savory goodness:
Maine Granola (Gram’s Granola)
Top Ingredients (Dry):
- 4 cups of quick oats
- ½ cup of shredded coconut
- ½ cup of sliced almonds
- ½ cup of chopped pecans
- ½ cup of chopped walnuts
- ½ cup of Grape Nuts cereal
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Bottom Ingredients (Wet):
½ cup of vegetable oil
½ cup of maple syrup (we use the good stuff… pure Vermont maple syrup)
½ cup of brown sugar
½ cup of honey (I use the honey from our local farmers market)
1 tblsp vanilla extract
½ tblsp of cinnamon
Instructions:
- Mix together top ingredients
- In a pot, mix together bottom ingredients. Bring to a simmer.
- Combine the wet ingredients into dry.
- Spray a large sheet pan (with sides) with Bak-klene or other nonstick spray
- Spread granola on pan and bake at 350° stirring every 5-7 minutes until golden brown (about 22-28 minutes) . Let cool, stirring occasioanlly. I like to put it in a plastic container with a lid. I shake it vigorously between uses since I tend to like it a little chewy.
One little tip….don’t forget the oatmeal like I did the first time I made it! You will end up with a lumpy mess. 🙂
I like to start with a bowl of vanilla yogurt, fresh farmers market strawberries and blueberries, topped off with a sprinkling of Maine Granola. It’s a delicious way to start the day!
