Nutty Maple Granola

I have a hard time finding a good granola. I want a granola that is more nuts than oats. I want more healthy fat and protein than I do carbs. After many failed attempts I decided to make my own. So glad I did. Not to brag but it RoCkS!! (ok, maybe I will brag a little) I add it to my cereal for a little sweetness and to add a healthy serving of fat. I love it by itself or with raisins and chocolate chips as a trail mix. I love it over yogurt. Ok, I just love it. Hope you do too.

P.S. The nuts in the recipe need to be plain old nuts. The way God intended us to eat them. Don't use roasted or salted nuts.

Nutty Maple Granola
by Lauren Porter

Mix the following ingredients into a large bowl:
1 c. oats- rolled oats are best but quick/instant oats will work
1/2 c. shredded non-sweetened coconut
2 tbsp. ground flax seed
4 1/2 c. nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, cashews, pepitas (pumpkin seeds))

In a small saucepan warm the following ingredients:

1/4 c. coconut oil
2/3 c. honey or agave
1 tbsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. maple flavoring or maple extract (if you don't have any then add more vanilla)

Pour heated sauce over the nut mixture in the large bowl. Stir until the nut mixture is moist. Spray a large pan/cookie sheet or cover with parchment paper. Pour mixture onto pan and spread evenly. Bake at 350 degrees in a preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Stir halfway through to bake evenly. Let cool on the pan before storing in an air tight container.