Family Approved Granola

Granola can be a flavorful and filling snack, or it can be used to make healthier cookies.

BASIC GRANOLA

1 quart Oatmeal
1/3 cup Wheat Germ (optional)
1/2 cup Coconut
1/3 cup Sesame Seeds (optional)
2/3 cup Sunflower Seeds (optional)
2/3 cup broken Nuts (whatever kind you like)
1/2 cup Oil
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/4 cup Honey
1 cup Raisins

1.Preheat the oven to 350-F degrees.
2.Mix the oats, wheat germ, coconut, seeds, and nuts in a large bowl.
3.Put the oil, vanilla, and honey in a small saucepan, and heat over low to medium heat until it's a little warm, stirring as it heats. Pour over the oatmeal mixture, and stir until all the dry and wet ingredients are blended.
4.Spread out on ungreased baking sheets. Slide them into the oven and set the timer for 45 minutes. When it dings, take a peek. If everything's all toasty, it's time to remove it; otherwise, bake for 5-10 minutes more. (But you can turn the oven off, because it'll stay hot that long, if you leave the door closed.)
5.When the granola is out of the oven and set on a heat-proof surface, sprinkle the raisins over the top and stir a little to mix them in. Allow everything to cool, and then store it in air-tight containers. You can keep them on the shelf with your other cereals.


GRANOLA COOKIES

If you made granola, you already have the prime ingredient for this recipe at the ready!

1 cup Butter or Margarine
3/4 cup White Sugar
3/4 cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 large Egg
1 1/2 cup Flour
1 3/4 cup Granola
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Salt

Optional:
1 cup Raisins
1 cup Nuts
1 cup Chocolate Chips

1.Preheat oven to 325-F degrees.
2.Cream butter and sugars. Add vanilla and egg.
3.Combine dry ingredients, and stir into the wet ones, blending well. (Beat for a couple of minutes.)
4.If you wish, add with some or all of the optional additions - raisins, nuts, chocolate chips, whatever you like.
5.Bake on lightly greased cookie sheets for just 12 minutes (check at 10). Remove to cooling racks.