Simple Granola

To be honest I don't even remember where I got the original recipe from, but over several years I made slight tweaks to this, and for a few years probably made it once a week.

Even with all the gradual modifications it's too sweet for me to eat on its own, but then, I don't eat it straight: I add small amounts over top of a low-sugar cereal like weetabix, cheerios, or shreddies.

Cook it low and slow for maximum chunkiness, which is the entire point of granola.

Dry Ingredients

• 6 cups oats
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom (optional but delicious)

Wet Ingredients

• 1/3 c. maple syrup (or substitute with 1/2 c. packed brown sugar, for a total of 1 cup)
• 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
• 1/2 c. light neutral oil e.g. canola
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 285 degrees F

2. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and stir.

3. Combine wet ingredients and microwave until sugar is mostly dissolved, or about 90 seconds.

4. Pour hot mixture over dry ingredients and stir thoroughly.

5. Spread mixture onto two large (11"x17") baking trays. I like using silicone sheets as well, but they're not necessary.

6. Bake for 20 minutes, remove from oven, and gently turn the granola over with a spatula. Try and keep it chunky!

7. Rotate trays 180 degrees and switch their position in the oven, and bake for another 20 minutes.

8. Allow to cool slightly before chowing down on some delicious, warm, chunky granola.