Groovy Granola

Stop what you are doing and make this recipe RIGHT NOW!!! 

If you like granola, like me, you might just eat the whole batch right out of the oven, like me!! 

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com.  As a side note:  If you have never used this website, it's a must!  I usually only make recipes that have been reviewed ump-teen times and have atleast 4.5 stars.  I also make sure to read the reviews to learn how people have changed the recipe to make it work, or not work, for them.

So, I've had a craving for granola for quite sometime now, and have recently tried a few other recipes, but they were just 'eeh'.  I've been avoiding this specific recipe because I didn't want a bar, I wanted true granola.  Well, I learned my lesson, never overlook a recipe that has been reviewed almost 800 times and has 4.5 stars!  I tweaked a few of the ingredients to make it a little healthier and to match what I had on hand, and it came out so yummy.  I just had to share! 

In all honesty, if you have signed up to bring something to a brunch BRING THIS!  I'm telling you, it's WAY better than muffins, folks!  Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Play Group Granola

2 cup oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 ground flax
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup whole wheat flour
handful of dried cranberries
handful of pepitas
3/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup honey
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup canola oil
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix dry ingredients thoroughly, make a well in the center of dry ingredients and add wet ingredients.  Mix with your hands (hint: spray hands with some PAM to help with the stickiness).  Spread mixture into a 9x13 pan and bake for about 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.  (I set the timer for 18 minutes and checked them, then baked for an additional 5 minutes.  I guess it is best to take them out when the edges are starting to brown to avoid getting too crisp and crumbly.)  Let sit for 5 minutes, then cut them into squares/bars, before they are completely cool.