Good-Morning Granola

Name: Good-Morning Granola
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 7-1/2 cups
Ingredients: 4 cups old-fashioned oats; 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ; 1/2 cup sliced almonds; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup orange juice; 1/2 cup honey; 2 teaspoons canola oil; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup dried cherries; 1 cup dried cranberries; Reduced-fat plain yogurt, optional

Total Time Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Yield 7-1/2 cups

Test Kitchen Approved

This is ridiculously easy to make and has lots of healthy ingredients. It's a smart way to start your day or to keep yourself going. With pretty packaging, it makes a nice gift or bake sale item. —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ingredients

4 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup honey
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup dried cranberries
Reduced-fat plain yogurt, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients; set aside. In a small saucepan, combine orange juice, honey and oil. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over oat mixture and mix well.
Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Stir in dried fruits. Store in an airtight container. Serve with yogurt if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1/2 cup: 206 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 21mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fruit, 1/2 fat.

This is so easy to make and has lots of healthy ingredients. It's a smart way to start your day or to keep yourself going. With pretty packaging, it makes a nice gift or bake sale item. —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Recipe Creator