Extreme Granola with Dried Fruit
Dried blueberries and plump dates partner with old-fashioned rolled oats and toasty nuts in this hearty granola created by Epicurious editor-in-chief Tanya Steel and her Real Foods for Healthy Kids coauthor Tracey Seaman. Sesame seeds lend extra crunch while pure maple syrup (cane syrup or honey are excellent substitutes) kisses the mix with sweetness. With milk or yogurt, this granola is an easy breakfast, but don’t limit yourself: it’s delightful sprinkled on pancakes or as a topping for ice cream.
Recipe information
Yield
makes about 7 cups
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large shallow baking sheet with foil. Spread the pecans and almonds on the sheet and roast for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly toasted. Transfer the nuts to a board, let cool, and chop the nuts. Set aside.
Step 2
Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F. Pour the oats and sesame seeds, if using, in a mound on the same baking sheet. Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave; stir in the maple syrup and salt, and drizzle on top of the oats. Stir well with a rubber spatula and then spread out the oats in an even layer. Bake the oats for 30 minutes, stirring once with the spatula halfway through, until the oats are lightly colored. Let cool; the mixture will crisp as it cools.
Step 3
Add the dates, dried fruit, and reserved nuts to the oats and toss. Store the granola in covered glass jars at room temperature for up to 1 month.
