Applesauce Granola

not very much oil, the only sugar is honey or agave! Now, I followed this recipe exact, and it was not sweet enough to just eat with milk. if I was to make it to eat with milk, I would do more honey. maybe not quite double. I love tasting the oats/nuts etc, and you know my sweetness meter, so you can gauge based on that. BUT, all that said, it was PERFECT sweetness for on top of yogurt with just the granola or with some strawberries or other fresh fruit. then I wouldn't want it any sweeter. anyway, try if you want! I liked it! **I'm not sure the time becasue of our humidity here it took a lot longer to crisp up!!


6 c large flake oats
1/4 c flax meal
1/2 c wheat germ
1 T cinnamon
large pinch of nutmeg
1/2 t kosher salt
3 c whole almonds
1 c unsweetened shredded coconut
3 T olive oil
2 c applesauce
1/3 c honey or agave syrup (increase if you like a sweeter granola)
2 c dried cranberries or raisins or dried apple bits

Preheat oven to 300F. In a large bowl, mix together the first 8 ingredients. Add in the oil, applesauce and honey or agave syrup and mix well using your hands until everything is well coated. Spread mixture between two baking sheets lined with silpat or parchment paper and bake, turning mixture frequently and rotating pans until the mixture is dry and golden. For me, this took about 1 hour or a bit more. Add the dried fruit as soon as it comes out of the oven. Let cool and then store in a sealed container.