Fruited Granola

Brain Healthy Ingredients: Nuts, Oats, Red berries

Serves: 8

Fiber-rich oats provide a steady supply of energy to the brain, which may improve learning. They are also rich in selenium, an antioxidant that has been shown to have protective effects in a variety of brain disorders and age-related cognitive problems.

Be patient and allow the granola to cool completely before storing it. It will stay crunchy and not get soft!

Ingredients

• 5 ½ cups traditional rolled oats (not instant)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ¾ tsp salt
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• ¾ cup applesauce
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 ½ cups almonds, chopped
• ¾ cup dried cranberries
• ¾ cup dried apricots, chopped

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, applesauce, and honey until thoroughly combined.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, along with the chopped almonds. Mix well, until all of the oats are moistened. Spread on prepared pan in an even layer.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the pan from the oven and turn the granola over very carefully using a wide spatula. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until crisp and golden.
6. Cool completely on the baking sheet.
7. Break up the granola into chunks and stir in the dried fruit. Store in an airtight container.