Cherry Granola

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups rolled oats, not quick oats
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice)
• 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut (usually in health food aisle or with baked goods)
• 2 cups dried cherries

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

2. 2

   In a small sauce pan, heat honey, oil, salt and vanilla until melted and combined.

3. 3

   In a large bowl toss oats, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice.

4. 4

   Add the ingredients from the sauce pan and mix to combine.

5. 5

   Spray a sheet pan with pan spray and pour in the mixture and flatten with a spatula.

6. 6

   Bake for 10 minutes then add the pecans. Use a spatula to turn the mixture and incorporate the pecans.

7. 7

   Bake for 20 minutes. (check after 10 minutes to make sure it is not browning too quickly)

8. 8

   Add the coconut, toss again and bake for 10-20 more minutes or until slightly browned and dry.

9. 9

   Add the dry cherries, again using a spatula to toss but do not bake any further

10. 10

    Slightly press the mixture back into the pan and let cool in the pan over a wire rack.

11. 11

    Once cool, use the spatula to break up into small and large pieces and store in a sealed container at room temperature.