gone granola

In the weeks leading up to my son's birth, I filled my days with LOTS of baking projects. In an attempt to break the pattern of cookies, cookie bars and other sugary indulgences, I decided to finally tackle something I'd been meaning to make for a long time: homemade granola. Its been one of those things that I hate buying --because I know I can make something better at home-- yet my laziness and uncanny ability to procrastinate always got in the way. No more! This granola is so ridiculously easy to make, and so much more delicious than any store-bought variety, that I am hereby refusing to buy it. For reals. 
 

Honey Pecan Granola

{Recipe adapted from Everyday Food}

Makes about 4 1/2 cups.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• handful of raisins
• handful of dried cranberries

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Combine the oats, pecans, butter, honey and salt in a large bowl, and mix until well coated. Transfer the mixture to a baking sheet lined in parchment paper and spread out evenly. Bake about 30 minutes or until lightly golden, making sure to stir halfway through. After cooling completely on the sheet, add in your raisins and cranberries. Enjoy your granola now or store in an air-tight container for up to 3 weeks.

Of course you can swap out pecans for another nut of your choice and add in any ol' thing you like-- dried fruit, chocolate chips, whatever. If you want a completely nut-free version, just add an additional cup of oats to the mix. x