Isabelle's Yummy GORILLA Granola Recipe

Isabelle Kate made some delicious granola (or "gorilla" according to her!) at preschool earlier this year, so we thought we'd share the recipe. It's so easy and tasty, and it smells sooooo good when it's baking!

 Everything comes out better with adorable helpers!

Here's what you need:

**this is a great recipe to cater to your own personal tastes...this is our modified version**

• 4 cups old-fashioned oats (not the quick cook kind), plus the inevitable oats that spill over the measuring cup into the bowl
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• pinch or so of salt (we use sea salt)
• 1 generous tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup canola oil
•  2 tsp vanilla extract (LESS if using pure or raw vanilla)

The sky's the limit as to what else you can add to your granola! We love coconut, walnuts, raisins, and banana chips in ours. Plus, for an extra boost of protein and good stuff, I add a few tablespoons of ground flaxseed and/or wheatgerm. 

 I used to wear this teddy bear apron with my Mom when I was little  :)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Combine oats, brown sugar, salt & cinnamon in large bowl and mix (or spin...you will get this if you read this post) well. Next, add any nuts, seeds, flaxseed, etc, but don't add any dried fruits until after the granola has cooked.
• Combine honey, oil, and vanilla in small liquid measuring cup, stirring well. Pour honey mixture over oat mixture and stir gently to combine. We use a tall fork to combine ingredients.
• Lightly grease a 13 x 9 shallow baking pan (cookie sheet) with oil. Pour granola onto pan and spread evenly.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring at 10-minute intervals so the granola doesn't burn.
• Cool; add dried fruits if desired. Store in an airtight container. This should be eaten within 2 weeks, which is extremely laughable since it rarely sees the next light of day in this crazy-hungry household!
• Enjoy your yummy homemade granola!

After I wrote this post, Isabelle was telling Daddy all about making yummy "Gorilla." Daddy smiled and asked about it, and the next thing I know, Little Baker is going on and on about her "Granilla." HaHaHa 

So from this day forward, it shall forever be called "Granilla" in my house.      :)