Cranberry & Oats Granola

Essential Everyday

4 cups multigrain toasted oat cereal

2 cups old fashioned oats

1 (5 ounce) package sweetened dried cranberries

¾ cup sliced almonds

¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

¾ cup unsweetened apple sauce

½ cup honey

2 tablespoons light olive oil

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

In large mixing bowl, combine cereals, cranberries, almonds, sugar, cinnamon and salt; set aside.

You need a BIG mixing bowl for this.

In medium saucepan over medium low heat, combine apple sauce, honey, oil and vanilla; heat until smooth. 

Delicious by itself, by the way. I also cheated and made mine extra cinnamon-y by using cinnamon apple sauce.

Pour over granola mixture and toss to coat.

Transfer to two large greased baking sheets; spread into a single layer. Bake in a preheated 300F oven 45-50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.

As you can see, 45 minutes was a bit too much for the granola in my oven. I'd start checking yours every five minutes or so after the half-hour stir.

Remove from oven and place baking sheets on cooling racks. Cool, stirring occasionally. Store in airtight container. 

Because mine got a little-over crisp I've been eating it in milk. Which is, for the record, really good!

My Rating: 4/5 "The only reason this doesn't get five stars is because following the recipe directions overcooked it a little. If it hadn't gotten that smidge burned I think this would have been completely wonderful. Highly recommend!"