Dude Ranch Cranberry Granola
Almost every year my family and I go to a Wyoming Dude ranch for horseback riding, catch and release fishing, creek-side and under-moon hot-tubbing and simple family R&R. This one is a bed and breakfast and they home-make the best granola with cranberries and sesame, and here is my version- I’ve been home making granola for decades and my husband say that this is the best! It is not dry, its kind of caramelized and sticky because of the honey, look no further- this is The Ultimate Granola recipe and easy!
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups regular organic oats
- 1 cup flaked coconut
- ½ cup roasted almonds
- ⅓ cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup honey
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup wheat germ or ground flaxseed
- 1 cup dried cranberries (or other dried fruits or fruit and nut mix, mine has cashews)
- ½ cup sesame seeds
- ½ cup butter
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Lightly grease a large roasting pan or cookie sheet.
3. In a small saucepan, melt the butter.
4. Stir in brown sugar and honey until combined.
5. Remove from heat and mix in the vanilla.
6. In a large bowl, combine oats, coconut, almonds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ/flax, cranberries, and sesame seeds.
7. Pour the warm sugar mixture over the dry ingredients. Toss to coat evenly.
8. Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared pan.
9. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning.
10. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Tip: Raisins or other dried fruits can be used in place of or in addition to cranberries.
Nutrition Facts (per ½ cup serving, makes approx. 10 servings)
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Calories: ~290
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Total Fat: 13g
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Saturated Fat: 5g
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Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g
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Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
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Cholesterol: 10mg
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Sodium: 20mg
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Total Carbohydrates: 38g
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Dietary Fiber: 4g
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Sugars: 20g
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Protein: 5g
Key Nutrients:
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Iron: ~8% DV
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Magnesium: ~15% DV
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Vitamin E: ~10% DV
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Zinc: ~6% DV
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B Vitamins (esp. B6, folate): Moderate