Best Granola

5 c. rolled oats
1 1/2 c. unsweetened coconut
3/4 c. wheat germ
3/4 c. walnuts
1/2 c. melted butter
1 c. maple syrup or honey
1/3 c. sesame or sunflower seeds (which I omitted altogether)
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. vanilla

Preheat oven to 300° F.  Mix dry ingredients in baking pan and pour liquids over.  Bake for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Almond Oatmeal Granola

5 c. uncooked old-fashioned oatmeal
1 c. steel-cut oats (I used 6 c. regular oatmeal. Is there a difference between steel-cut oats and old-fashioned oatmeal?)
1 c. almond slivers
1 c. coconut
1 pkg dried cherries (I used less and it seems like plenty)
1/2 c. almond oil (not having any of this, I used a few drops of almond extract with vegetable oil)
1/2 c. honey
3/4 t. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 300°F. In a large mixing bowl, stir together oatmeal, oats, almond slivers, and coconut; set aside. In a small bowl, stir together almond oil, honey, and cinnamon; add to oat mixture and mix well.
Spread granola in a large greased baking pan and bake 1 hour, stirring every 10 minutes.
Add cherries after baking--otherwise they will be hard, dry chunks.
Cool completely; store in an airtight container. Serve with yogurt, fresh fruit, or milk.
Makes 16 servings, 1/2 c. each.