Cluster Granola

The other day I was doing my grocery shopping.  I was walking in the cereal aisle and came to the section with granola. I picked up a packet thinking I should get some to eat with the ton of yogurt I had gotten from Costco (I was trying to make frozen yogurt and had two very bad tries so I’ve given up on that for a little while).  I read through the ingredients and was surprised there were so few and I already had them all at home!  So I thought I would give a try at making granola at home.   When I had some time I started googling away and was disappointed.  The recipes called for old-fashioned rolled oats…I only had quick oats.  As I continued to search I came across two recipes that used quick oats.  One of them showed how if you grind some of the oats to a flour it will create clusters.  But this recipe had so much butter.  So I used the method for using oat flour and the ingredients from another recipe and it turned out great!  This is great with some yogurt, milk or just on it’s own.  I love to have it with milk with some dried cranberries tossed it.  But I caution you…this is very high in sugar so don’t be eating a whole bowl of it!

Cluster Granola
Adapted from The Traveler’s Lunchbox and Two Busy Moms Gourmet via eHow.com

Note: This is very sweet which I loved but it really limits the amount you can have.  Next time I will try to reduce the sugar and will update this post with my results.
November 2012 Tried this by reducing sugar by half but wasn’t able to form very many clusters.  Was very sandy

1 1/2 cup quick oats, divided
1/3 cup nuts (I used a mixture of almonds and walnuts)
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp melted butter (I used light)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 300 F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

To make oat flour, grind 3/4 cup oats to a powder (I used my spice grinder).  Chop the nuts to your liking.  I did mine fine in the spice grinder.

In a large bowl mix together the remaining 3/4  cup oats, oat flour, nuts and salt.  To this add the melted butter, maple syrup and brown sugar.  Mix well.  Transfer this to the prepared baking sheet and spread around.  Bake for 20 minutes.  After 20 minutes stir the granola around and continue to bake in intervals of 10 minutes stirring in between until granola is to desired crispiness.  Be careful not to burn the granola.  The parts which don’t form clusters browns quickly.  The granola will also crisp more as it cools.

Once cooled add in any desired dried fruit.

Enjoy on it’s own, with some milk or yogurt!