Chunky Granola

I found this recipe and love it because there are clusters of oats and nuts so it is like picking up a cookie to munch on instead of little bits of oats.  You have to follow the recipe and use all of the oil or else you will not get the big chunks - you will get individual oats and that is not as good.  I am listing several variations.  I have made this with dried fruit and no nuts and with nuts and no dried fruit.  It is really the oats that make it - so you can do it however you like it.  It reminds me of a milder and chunkier version of granola I bought while at Pam's just after Dane was born.  I like this one better.

Almond Granola with Raisins
1/3 cup maple syrup (must be 100% maple syrup - not pancake syrup)
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
2-4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (must be old-fashioned oats, any other kind get mushy or disintegrate).
2 cups slivered almonds
2 cups raisins (I usually use a mix of raisins and craisins)

Adjust oven rack to up middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.  Whisk maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla , and salt in a very large bowl.  Whisk in oil. Fold in oats and almonds and thoroughly coat. 

Transfer mixture to prepared baking sheet and spread across the pan into a thin, even layer (about 3/4 of an inch thick).  Using a stiff metal or strong nylon spatula, compress oat mixture until very compact.  Bake until lightly browned 40-45 minutes.  Rotate the pan halfway through baking to insure even browning.  Remove granola from oven and cool on wire rack to room temperature, about 1 hour.  Break granola 'bark' into pieces of desired sized clusters.  Stir in dried fruit.  Granola can be stored in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Here are a few variations - though the sky is the limit:
Pecan-Orange Granola with Dried Cranberries
Add 2 Tablespoons finely grated orange zest and 2 1/2 teaspoons  ground cinnamon to the maple syrup mixture.  Substitute coarsely ground pecans for the almonds and add 2 cups of dried cranberries for the raisins.

Spice Walnut Granola with Dried Apple
Add 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to the maple syrup.  Substitute coarsely chopped walnuts for almonds.  After granola is broken into clusters, stir in 2 cups chopped dried apples.

Hazelnuts and Dried Apricots
Substitute coarsely chopped skinned-hazelnuts (or filberts)  or macadamia nuts for almonds.  After granola is broken add 2 cups of chopped dried apricots or 2 cups dried pears.