This was actually taken at the Ghirardelli Plant in San Fran. But that’s his granola grin.Holiday Granola 

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups slivered almonds

2 cups pecans

2 cups sunflower seeds (unsalted)

2 cups old fashioned oats

½ tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. nutmeg

1/3 cup flour (I use gluten-free)

Wet Ingredients: 

¼ cup maple syrup (use the real thing!)

¼ oil (or butter for the non-fat-phobe)

1 tsp. vanilla extract (again, the real thing!) 

Stir together dry ingredients

Combine wet ingredients and pour over dry ones.

Stir well. 

Place in shallow pan (I double the recipe and use a deep rectangular stoneware cake pan) in preheated 350 degree oven. 

Set timer for 7 min. and stir.  Repeat this step until granola is golden.  (Usually takes me about 4 sets of 7 min.)

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. 

When cooled, add in dried fruit bits, mini-chocolate morsels, etc. to taste (I use dried date pieces, currants (from local health food store) and naturally colored, candied sunflower seeds (from Trader Joe’s)

Mix it up and try not to get addicted.  My hubby calls it Christmas Crack!