I love granola and after watching an American Test Kitchen episode where they made a simple almond dried fruit granola, I decided to give it a try. I love that the ATK recipe is easy to change up with different combinations  of nuts, dried fruits and vanilla or almond extract. After trying a few different batches this is my favorite combination.

Coconut Almond Granola

5 cups of old fashioned oats

2 cups of chopped almonds

1/3 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup coconut oil (liquid form)

2 teaspoons almond extract

2 cups raisins

2/3 cups of shredded sweetened coconut

Mix the oats, almonds, maple syrup, coconut oil and almond extract together well.  Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and using a potato masher use a little muscle to tap the mix down on the cookie sheet. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 30-35 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes. While the oats are cooling, toast 2/3 cups of shredded coconut. Once oats are cooled, add coconut and raisins and store in an airtight container.  I love this as a breakfast cereal with almond milk. It’s also tasty as a yogurt topping.