Homemade Granola

My husband asked me to make granola - or muesli as he calls it. So this is the first recipe I tried, and we like it so much we haven't strayed. In fact, I've made it every week this month. We prefer dried apricots in it, but you can use any dried fruit...cranberries, raisins, dried apples, etc. He eats is as a cereal with milk, while I prefer it with fresh berries and yogurt. The best part is, it takes about 10 minutes to prepare and a short time in the oven. Very easy!

The Neely's Homemade Granola (Patrick and Gina Neely)

3 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups unsweetened coconut chips (or lightly toast sweetened coconut in oven)
1 cup chopped dried apricots (6 ounces)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped raw pecans
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons canola oil
3 tablespoons real maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together oats, coconut, chopped apricots, and chopped pecans.
2. In a smaller bowl, whisk together brown sugar, canola oil, maple syrup, vanilla and salt. Pour over oat mixture and combine well, so everything is coated evenly.
3. Spread in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden and brown, 15 minutes, rotating the baking sheet tray halfway through baking and stirring the granola with a spoon so it will cook evenly. Remove from the oven and add to a large bowl so it will stop cooking. Let cool before serving.