Grandma Bouwman's Granola

My grandma Bouwman was a good cook and baker. She raised a family during the depression, and because of that was very frugal. She used to make her own cracked wheat bread. My dad used to love getting store bought bread as a kid because it was a special treat for him. We never could get a recipe from her, because she didn't use one. My grandpa and her would even use an old coffee grinder to crack the wheat in.

She used to make this cereal when I was a kid. They didn't really have store bought granola then. I don't think she called it granola until later, I think it was just called dry cereal or something. I have always liked it, and I like that you can control what is in it. I never did like boxed granola, I guess I was spoiled with my grandma's.

Ingredients:
4 cups rolled oats
1 cup oat bran
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup raw sunflower seeds
1 cup unsweetened coconut (I use the wide grated)
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup honey
I added chopped crystallized ginger in this one (I've been on a ginger kick lately). I wanted to add dried cherries that I was going to bring back from Michigan, but we didn't have time to get them (my mom will bring them when they come to Florida in Feb). So I was going to get some dried cranberries, but in the natural food store that was around the corner only had sweetened ones. My grandma didn't use dried fruit in hers, but you can add what you like.

It's really simple, just dump and mix! I do end up using my hands!

Then spread it on one or two cookie sheets pressing it down in the pans. I use my stoneware bar pan it's large, I also used my medium size bar pan.

Toast at 350° for 10-12 minute then stir and turn. Continue to toast it for another 10-12 minutes until the desired golden toasted, crispy, goodness.
You can add milk to it or snack on it as is. I only added 1/4 cup of the ginger, I didn't want to overpower it with the ginger. If you would like more chunks you can add more honey. I like it this way it's lightly sweetened and tender.

Tucker fell asleep on the futon in the spare room while I was making this. He even had his toy with him. I couldn't resist, I had to get a picture!