Many are cutting back on spending these uncertain economic times. An economic shortcut we take in our household actually improves what we eat in multiple ways. Breakfast cereals can be costly, and granola is especially expensive. Making it yourself saves money, tastes fresher, eliminates the processing additives and reduces oils. You can also personalize it to suit your own taste preferences.

It’s easy and quick to make low-fat, homemade granola. We make double batches because we love it so much. You can eat it with milk as a cereal. We sprinkle ours on our morning oatmeal; it adds crunch and flavor. It also works as a topping for fruit and fruit sauces. Use it as a stir-in for yogurt. Try it as a topping on a sweet potato casserole, too.

The easy directions are below. Too bad the photo above can't convey how wonderful your kitchen will smell when granola is toasting in the oven!

Homemade Healthier Granola

Ingredients

3 Tablespoons canola oil

1 Tablespoon water

¼ cup maple syrup [You can substitute with honey, molasses and/or commercial syrup to cut cost.]

½ teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups of old-fashioned oats

½ cup wheat germ

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup “Personalized Add-ins” (see below)

“ Personalized Add-ins”: Choose from among the following in the proportions that suit your preferences.

chopped nuts, coconut, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, dried fruit, flax seed or meal

Directions

Combine the oil, water syrup and cinnamon in a sauce pan and bring it to a simmer on low heat.

Combine the remaining dry ingredients in a large bowl. [If you’re using dried fruit for a Personalized Add-in, don’t add it yet.]

Move the oven rack to the center and preheat the oven to 275 degrees.

Drizzle the simmered liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and combine.

Spread the mixture onto a baking pan or baking sheet with sides that’s been lightly oiled or lightly sprayed with cooking oil. The pan should be at least 9” x 13”.

“Clump” the granola with your fingers, squeezing it into small clusters.

Bake it for 30 minutes. Now add the dried fruit, if you chose that for one of your Personalized Add-ins. Stir gently.

Bake it about 15 minutes more. When the color is golden brown, remove from the oven and cool.

Store it in an airtight container. It has never lasted long enough at our house to get stale.