Fruit and Nut Granola (Chrissie's Granola)

Originally given to me at work as a 'Hey! I made this, try it, it's vegan (I'm not vegan), you'll love it!' and I did; I really did love it. I've made it several times now and a modified version for my husband (omitted the chocolate and used deluxe mixed nuts). I have to stash some or get none in my house.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 339 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups rolled oats
• ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup almonds
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• ½ cup dark chocolate chips
• 2 cups dried fruit (such as cranberries, pomegranate, cherries, or blueberries)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.

Step 2

Pour the oats into a large bowl. Add almonds, cinnamon, cocoa powder, salt, brown sugar, and dried fruit into the oats respectively, stirring each into the mixture before adding the next.

Step 3

Mix maple syrup and vanilla extract together in a small bowl. With a rubber spatula, add the maple syrup-vanilla mixture to your dry ingredients. Fold the two together until mixed and all dry ingredients are well coated.

Step 4

Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes, stir, and continue baking until golden brown, about 25 minutes more. Set aside to cool slightly, about 20 minutes.

Step 5

Gently fold chocolate chips into the granola mixture, allowing the chocolate to coat the granola as it melts slightly. Cool completely before storing.