Ingredients:
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup mixed nuts and seeds (e.g., almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds)
- 1/2 cup dried fruits (e.g., raisins, cranberries)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
- 1/3 cup Floodwoods maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (or your preferred cooking oil)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). This ensures even cooking and a golden finish.
- Prepare Your Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This makes cleanup a breeze and prevents sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, mixed nuts and seeds, dried fruits, and coconut flakes (if using). Mix them up like you're creating a colorful mosaic of flavors.
- Warm the Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm the Floodwoods maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir until everything is well blended, and the mixture is smooth. It should smell like a sweet maple dream.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the warm maple syrup mixture over your dry ingredients. Stir everything together until all the dry ingredients are coated evenly. Your granola is now ready for its sweet transformation.
- Spread It Out: Spread the granola mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to press it down slightly. This encourages the formation of those coveted granola clusters.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the granola is golden brown. Give it a gentle stir every 10 minutes to ensure even browning.
- Cool and Crunchify: Once your granola is golden and toasty, remove it from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet. As it cools, it will become delightfully crunchy.
- Break Into Clusters: Once it's completely cool, break your granola into clusters of your desired size. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh and crunchy.
Now you've got a batch of delicious Floodwoods maple syrup granola ready to enjoy for breakfast, as a snack, or as a topping for yogurt and desserts. It's a sweet and satisfying treat that's simple to prepare!