Granola Yum

It's been years since I've made homemade granola. When my family was young and I was home with a half-dozen little kids, I used to make most of their snacks from scratch. It was just easier than piling them all in the car to go to the grocery store. So here is an easy granola recipe made with items you have on hand.

Preheat oven to 350*

In a large bowl stir together:
  6 cups rolled oats (not instant or quick-cooking)
  1 cup bran (I use bran cereal)
  2 cups total of nuts and/or seeds - walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, peanuts,  sunflower seeds, sesame seeds,etc. (you get the idea)
  1 cup dried coconut (optional)

Add in:
  1 cup honey or pure maple syrup, more or less to taste
  1/4 tsp salt
  1 teaspoon cinnamon
  1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix well, then pour onto 10x15" sheet pan sprayed with cooking spray. Spread out evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, stirring once or twice. Remove from oven when browned, being careful not to let it burn.

Cool, then stir in 1 cup total of any mix-ins you would like:  raisins, banana chips, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, M&M's, peanut butter chips, etc.

Put in sealed container and store in refrigerator.