Coconut Granola

This month for Secret Recipe Club, I had The Bad Girl's Kitchen. Run by Min, it actually invites other bloggers to post things as well.

I chose the Coconut Granola because I love love love both coconut and granola (tonight I might make the curried chicken with coconut rice, so clearly I have coconut issues). The granola is pretty basic, but it uses extra coconut and coconut oil as the fat. By the time you're done mixing, your hands will smell like angel breath because, ah, coconut and vanilla and nut. I mean, even if you hate to eat all those things (and, seriously, who are you), it still smells awesome.

A word on coconut oil: The new health darling is cold-pressed, extra-virgin, organic awesomeness. It smells like coconut and infuses a coconuty flavor into things. The cheaper coconut oils are fine to use, but they won't be as coconut-y as their healthier, better-quality brothers.

Coconut Granola
adapted from The Bad Girl's Kitchen
makes a whole heck of a lot (about 10-11 cups)
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 30-40 minutes
Cost: $5.50
oatmeal: .60, nuts: 2.00, fruit: 1.00, coconut: .75, honey: .50, coconut oil: .55 (guessing here; not sure), other stuff: .10

Note: I halved this and just used 1 pan.

Note: If you like your granola sweeter, you might want to up the honey to 3/4 C.

Note on coconut: If you really love the stuff, I'd go ahead and use even more; it's just good.

6 C oatmeal
1 C chopped nuts (I used cashews and almonds
1 C dried fruit (chop it if it's big--I used some dates, some figs, and some cranberries)
1 C dried coconut (I used raw/dried, but the store bought stuff will work too and make it a little sweeter)
1/2 C honey
1/2 C coconut oil (melted)
3 Tbsp dark brown sugar
3 tsp vanilla extract

Heat oven to 300 degrees.

In large bowl combine oats, nuts, dried fruit, and coconut.

In microwave-safe bowl, combine honey, melted coconut oil, and dark brown sugar. Heat in microwave until sugar melted. Stir in vanilla.

Pour wet over dry and stir well. It takes a minute or two--you want all the dry parts to get some of the good wet stuff, so take your time and use your hands if need be (they'll smell awesoooommme).

Spread onto two baking sheets.

Bake for 15 minutes. Mix. Bake for another 10-15 minutes. After that, check it at five minute intervals.

Remove from oven when it's a lovely golden brown.

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