Homemade Granola

I got my first taste of homemade granola a few years ago when my friend's aunt hosted a bridal shower for her. She passed out little bags of the most delicious granola, with the recipe tied to each bag. What a clever party favor. It was the most delicious granola and I've been making it regularly ever since. Once you have homemade granola it's hard to turn back. I like to eat it with milk or yogurt for breakfast, or just snack on it straight from the bag. I adjust the recipe just a touch. Here's my version...

Granola

3 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/3 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1/3 cup raw sesame seeds
1/4 cup flax seeds
1/2 cup canola oil
1/3 cup plus 2 T honey
2 T molasses
1 cup whole pecans (measure out, then roughly chop)
1/3 cup raw pumpkin seeds
2/3 cup dried sour cherries
1/3 cup currants
1/3 cup golden raisins (if you can't find golden just use regular)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix together first 5 ingredients - oats, wheat germ, coconut, sesame seeds, flax seeds. Place canola oil, honey and molasses in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Fold honey mixture into dry ingredients.

Pour granola on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes.

Remove pan from oven and stir in pecans and pumpkin seeds. Return to oven and bake for 5 minutes. Remove pan and stir granola. Return to oven and bake for 5 more minutes.

Remove from oven and stir in the sour cherries, currants and raisins. Let cool. Store in an airtight container for up to one month.