Banana Bread Granola

This simple recipe would make a perfect holiday gift, handmade from your kitchen. Who wouldn't like a jar filled with this delicious granola. The recipe comes from Simply Recipes.

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon water
3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup chopped raw walnuts
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 medium ripe bananas, diced

Instructions

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Place the racks in the upper and lower halves of the oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Slice butter into small pats and place in small saucepan. Melt over medium heat. Once melted the butter will start to foam, then it will begin to turn an amber color. Watch it carefully.  The butter can go from nicely browned to burnt quickly. The whole process should take about 3 minutes. Once the butter is browned, immediately pour it into a small bowl.

In the same pan, combine brown sugar, vanilla and water. Stir over low heat until combined and the sugar is dissolved, about 2 - 3 minutes. Remove from heat.

In large bowl, combine oats, walnuts, cinnamon and salt. Stir to combine. Add the browned butter and brown sugar mixture.  Stir to combine. Then add the diced bananas and stir gently.

Divide the granola mixture between the two trays. Spread into an even layer. Place in oven and bake for 45 minutes. Half way through the baking period, rotate the trays in the oven. If you do not want your granola to be clumpy, stir the mixture and spread out evenly again.

Remove from oven and allow to cool for 20 - 30 minutes. Then stir and store in airtight container. It will last about one week.