Ally's Homemade Granola

This honestly is the best granola you'll ever have. Trust me on this!

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1 1/2 cups lightly packed light brown sugar

6 cups quick cooking or old fashioned rolled oats

2 cups chopped walnuts (I use almonds)

1 cup toasted wheat germ

1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

1 cup raisins

1 cup sweetened dried cranberries or cherries

Place oven racks in two center positions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 2 jellyroll pans with vegetable spray. Set aside.

In 1-quart microwave-safe bowl, combine oil, syrup and brown sugar. Microwave, uncovered, on high power 3 minutes or until sugar starts to melt. Remove from microwave and whisk until any lumps disappear.

In 3-quart or larger bowl, combine oats, walnuts, wheat germ and coconut. Toss to mix well. Pour syrup mixture over oat mixture and stir until well mixed. Spread evenly onto jellyroll pans. Place one pan on each rack in preheated oven.

Bake 10 minutes. Remove pans, stir granola and return pans to oven, rotating to opposite racks. Bake 8 to 10 minutes more, taking care not to overbrown. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature in pans. Sprinkle half the raisins and half the dried cranberries over each pan, then stir to mix well. Store in airtight containers. Makes about 14 cups.