Okay.. Crunchy Granola
This makes TEN cups!!
1 and 1/2 cup borwn sugar
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon salt (you could add more for endurance rides)
8 cups rolled oats (make sure you DON'T get the instant kind!)
2 cups of mixed nuts
2 6oz. bags of dried tropical fruit mix (usually found in baking aisleor dreid fruit section)
*** you can also add raisins, coconut, etc... I think Cinnamon is an awesoem addition to this!
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Combine brown sugar and water in a 4-cup microwave safe glass measuring cup or bowl. Place in microwave on high for 5 minutes and cook until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from microwave, add vanilla, almond extract, and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, nuts, brown sugar, and whatever else you have, but DO NOT ADD YOUR DRIED FRUIT YET (unless you like it crunchy)! Add your brown sugar syrup mixture and stir until thoroughly mixed. SPread the granola onto cookie sheets and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour until golden and crunchy. WHen your granola comes out, you can let it cool for a minute, then add all of your dried fruit and mix it in with the granola. At this point, just put it in an airtight container and take out what you need in a ziploc bag for each ride. This stuff is the absolute best, and it lasts for weeks!!