Honey-Nut Granola

Prep: 15 min., Bake: 30 min. Plan for 1 cup of granola per person, and you'll have plenty. Make and freeze ahead so party day will be a breeze.

Yield: Makes about 14 cups

Ingredients

• 1  (18-oz.) container uncooked regular oats (about 6 cups)
• 2 1/2  cups  coarsely chopped pecans
• 2/3  cup  toasted wheat germ
• 1/4  cup  sesame seeds
• 2  cups  sweetened flaked coconut (optional)
• 1  cup  butter, melted
• 1/2  cup  honey
• 1/4  cup  firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2  teaspoons  vanilla extract
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1  (6-oz.) package sweetened dried cranberries

Preparation

1. Stir together first 4 ingredients and, if desired, coconut in a large bowl.

2. Combine butter and next 4 ingredients in a medium bowl. Pour over oat mixture; stir until evenly coated. Divide mixture evenly between 2 lightly greased 15- x 10-inch jelly-roll pans.

3. Position 1 oven rack about 6 inches from top heating element in oven; place a second oven rack about 6 inches from bottom heating element. Place 1 pan on each rack.

4. Bake at 325° for 25 to 30 minutes or until toasted, stirring every 10 minutes and switching position of baking sheets after first 15 minutes. Spread granola on wax paper to cool completely. Add dried cranberries. Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days, or freeze up to 6 months.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Ocean Spray Craisins for sweetened dried cranberries.