So, I’ve been taking some requests recently because I’ve hit a dry-spell of ideas (but give me some slack! I’ve made 38 different recipes on my own the past three months). I was given the task by one of my good friends (the lovely Sara Thibodeau) to make a granola that not only tastes great, but doesn’t break the bank. I’m up for the challenge because contrary to what some people may think, Granola is delicious and NOT just for hippies, okay?

2 c. rolled oats
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
3 tbs vegetable oil
1/4 c. honey
1/4 c. light brown sugar, packed
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
1/3 c. almond slivers
1/3 c. sunflower seeds
1/3 c. raisins
1/3 c. dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, mix oil, honey, brown sugar and extracts until well combined. Set aside. In another bowl, mix oats, salt and cinnamon. With your hands, blend oats with honey mixture until well combined. On a lined baking sheet (I put some parchment down), spread out mixture then let bake in oven for 10 minutes. Stir, then add nuts. Cook for another 10 minutes, remove from oven, then stir in raisins and cranberries. Let cool then serve!

Note for making great granola: When you’re shopping for ingredients, I would highly suggest going to the “pay-by-the-pound” section (you know, where you can bag your own nuts and berries…). You only need 1/3 of a cup of each, so just buy the exact amount needed instead of a whole bag! Also: see what’s on sale. Sunflower seeds are usually very cheap (they were $1.99/lb at my grocery store, and you can get A LOT of sunflower seeds for that), so stock up on those then spring for whatever else you want. I calculated it cost me $3 for a whole batch of this granola!