Cherry-Vanilla Granola

Learning to make granola is life-changing. You will never go back to pre-made granola! 

Makes 12 servings

Ingredients

Feel free to adapt to whatever nuts and spices you love!

• 3 cups thick rolled oats (I like Bob's Red Mill)

• 1 cup whole almonds

• 1 cup walnuts

• 1 cup pecans

• 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut

• 1 tsp kosher salt, more to taste

• 2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 2 egg whites

• 1/2 cup dried cherries

Method

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees.  Line two baking sheets with parchment and set aside.

2. Place oats in a large mixing bowl.  Place nuts in a food processor and pulse until they are chopped well.  Mix in with the oats.  Add the coconut, kosher salt, cinnamon, and stir well.  Taste and add more spices or salt as desired.

3. In a saucepan, warm the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and butter.  Stir well.  Take of the heat, cool slightly, then mix into the oat and nut mixture.  Stir in egg whites.   Add a couple more pinches of kosher salt.

4. Spread on two baking sheets lined with parchment.  Bake at 325 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  With a large, flexible spatula, flip granola so that some pieces stay in large chunks.  Bake another 10-12 minutes or until fragrant and nicely browned on both sides.

5. Place on a baking rack to cool.  Can be stored in an air-tight container up to two weeks.

6. Enjoy!