Homemade Granola

Thanks to my dear friend Keli, I now have a wonderful recipe for homemade granola. I have tried many many recipes and haven't been to thrilled with any of them. A few of them were ok, but this one is absolutely awesome...so great that I'm not sure I will ever buy store bought granola again! I hope you enjoy it also!

Ingredients:
4 cups rolled oats (I used thick organic oats)
1 cup shredded or chipped coconut
1 cup nuts of choice, chopped coarse (I used walnuts)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup coconut oil or 1 stick butter (I used coconut oil)
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

To stir in AFTER baking:
1 cup dried fruits (cranberries, cherries, apricots, raisins, etc.) optional...(I did NOT use any)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, silpat or grease.
In a large bowl combine oats, coconut, nuts and salt
The directions call to melt butter or oil in saucepan and blend remaining ingredients into oil, then pour over dry ingredients, but I skipped this step and dumped everything into the large bowl by accident. Fortunately, it turned out great.
Spread onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes (min took about 40 minutes), stirring every 5 minutes until golden brown. Do not overbake!
When it comes out of the oven it will still seem soft, but as long as it is nicely golden brown in color it should crisp up nicely upon cooling.
Place baking sheet on wire rack to cool. Once the granola has completely cooled, stir in dried fruit if desired and store in airtight container or plastic bag. It will keep for several weeks.

Makes about 5 cups of Granola
NOTE: Recipe from http://www.cookingforseven.com