Homemade Granola Clusters

I have made the yummiest homemade granola clusters today. Even Mr. C who said "I don't like granola" as I excitedly tell him about them and try force him to try them said they were pretty darn good.

Now I researched lots of recipes but got overwhelmed and confused by all the conflicting ideas of what to do and made my own concoction. The best part? You can totally use whatever odds and ends that are chilling in your pantry and they'll turn out GREAT!

Now these are two part, but don't be overwhelmed, it's not hard.


For the granola:

2 cups of Old Fashioned Oats (but I bet you can use steel cut also)
2/3 cup of Maple syrup
1 1/2 cups of nuts*
1/2 tsp of vanilla**
1/2 tsp Cinnamon**

*really whatever you like, I did peanuts, almonds and sunflower kernels.  My peanuts were planters (i think) so you can use any regular nuts...if you use raw I would add salt as an extra ingredient.
**but really i saw post about cocoa powder or ginger which both sounded good but i didn't have.

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees (lots of recipes say 300 but i found it was burning my granola)
2. Mix all ingredients together. Make sure that it's all evenly coated.
3. Cook for 30 min. at 275.
4. Stir about every 10 min.


Granola Clusters:

1/2 of the recipe of granola
1/2 cup of peanut butter*
1/2 cup of almond butter*
1/2 cup of olive oil
3/4 cup of honey
1/4 cup of crasins or raisins
2 cups of cereal... I used rice krispies and fiber one cereal 
1 cup of brown sugar

*I think you can just use one or the other but I ran out of peanut butter so I used both.

1. Heat peanut butter, almond butter, olive oil, honey, and brown sugar on stove top on medium heat until all melted together.
2. Mix with dry ingredients.
3. Divide into mini muffin cups.
4. Let dry 1-2 hours.

Enjoy and try not to eat all in one sitting!