Granola in a jar

[Sara Noel]

Makes about 14 cups
Cooking oil spray
1/2 C. vegetable oil
1/2 C. pure maple syrup
1 1/2 C. light brown sugar, lightly packed
6 C. quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats (not instant)
2 C. chopped walnuts
1 C. wheat germ
1 C. sweetened, shredded coconut
1 C. raisins
1 C. sweetened dried cranberries or dried cherries

Place the oven racks in the two center positions. Preheat oven to
350ºF. Spray two 11 x 17-inch jellyroll pans with cooking oil spray.
Set aside.
In a 1-quart microwave-safe bowl, combine the oil, maple syrup and brown sugar. Microwave, uncovered, at high for 3 minutes, or until the sugar starts to melt. Remove from the microwave and whisk until any lumps disappear.
In a 3-quart or larger bowl, combine the oats, walnuts, wheat germ and coconut. Toss to mix well. Pour the syrup mixture over the oat mixture and stir until well-mixed. Spread evenly onto the jellyroll pans.
Place a pan on each oven rack and bake for 10 minutes. Taking note of which pan was on the top rack, remove the pans from the oven, stir the granola, and place the pans back in the oven, rotating to the opposite rack.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes more, taking care not to over-brown, then remove from oven. Cool in pans for 1 hour, or until granola reaches room temperature. Sprinkle half the raisins and half the dried cranberries over each pan. Mix well. Store in airtight containers, preferably glass jars or tins, until ready to serve, up to 2 weeks.

[COUNTRYBUMPKIN]

Thanks sara, this sounds great. I am making gift baskets with jars and I am looking for recipes to fill them with.

I noticed that this recipe calls for real maple syrup and if you are a SAMS club member, you can buy an entire quart of pure maple syrup there for 6.49. I know how expensive it is in the other stores.