Cherry Nut Granola

 Ingredients

Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 45 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes

3 cups

• quick oats

3 tablespoons

• flax seeds

3 tablespoons

• sesame seeds

1/2 cup

• raw pumpkin seeds

3/4 cup

• raw pistachios

3/4 cup

• raw slivered almonds

2 tablespoons

• cinnamon

1 teaspoon

• sea salt

1/4 cup

• brown sugar

1/2 cup

• unsweetened applesauce

2 tablespoons

• organic unsalted butter

2 tablespoons

• agave nectar or local honey

1 tablespoon

• real vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups

dried cherries

 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a saucepan, on low heat, melt the brown sugar, applesauce, agave nectar/honey, butter, and vanilla. Let it warm through so the sugar breaks down and all flavors incorporate.
3. In a large bowl, combine the oats, cinnamon, salt, nuts, and seeds. Slowly drizzle the wet mixture on the oat mix and stir until all oats are covered. It should look pretty moist but not ‘wet’.
4. Spread the granola in an even layer on a baking pan (also known as jelly roll pan; 1/2 inch sides). Place the rack in the middle of the oven and bake for 15 minutes, stir. Granola should take about 45 minutes to cook; continue to stir every 15 minutes for even color.
5. Pull out the granola and fold in the dried cherries. Allow the granola to cool completely before adding chocolate chips or putting it in a container.