I love granola. But store bought granola can be expensive, not to mention that many brands have artificial flavoring, coloring, and preservatives added to it. Now you can easily whip up your own homemade granola and know exactly what's in it.

I found this recipe several years back in "The Summer House Cookbook" (a favorite cookbook that I highly recommend). Over the years I have made a couple of very 'minor' changes to the recipe. Everyone I share this with seems to love it. Slym doesn't usually like to cook with white or brown sugar, but this granola is one exception she is willing to make! It's delicious plain, served with milk, in a yogurt and fruit parfait, or even over vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Easiest and Best Granola Ever

• 2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup roughly chopped walnuts
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
• 1 1/2 t pure vanilla extract
• Sea salt (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 325
2. Grease a sided baking sheet with Pam. ( 17.25" x 11.5" works perfect)
3. In medium bowl, stir together the oats, seeds, almonds, walnuts, and coconut.
4. In a small saucepan, heat honey, sugar, and vanilla over medium, stirring often, until the sugar melts and mixture is smooth and clear, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Pour sugar mixture over cereal mixture and stir until all the granola is covered.
6. Spread evenly on the baking sheet.
7. If using the salt, grind or sprinkle 1/2 - 1 teaspoon sea salt over the granola.
8. Bake 10 minute, stir. Bake 10 more minutes, stir. Bake 5 more minutes.
9. Remove from oven and let completely cool on the tray.
10. Break into chunks and store in a container with a cover.
11. Should keep for 2 weeks, but probably won't last that long!

Sylm Cook says: Follow the baking instructions exactly as written for perfect results every time. Light brown sugar can be used in place of dark. The addition of the salt gives it that salty sweet sensation that is oh so good!