Healthy Holiday Breakfast

It's not every one that can get excited about Homemade Low-Fat Granola! Last week while grocery shopping, I gave up on finding a plain granola that I could put with my low-fat vanilla yogurt. Lo and behold, this recipe is on the Dairy Makes Sense website.  What's even better, why not make this  for a    special person on your Christmas list that enjoys a low-fat nutritious and tasty breakfast! 

Homemade Low-Fat Granola

Ingredients for the granola:
4 1/2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal,uncooked
1/3 cup sliced almonds
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup apple juice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup raisins

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Stir together oatmeal,almonds,cinnamon,and salt,if desired, in a large bowl. In a seperate bowl,whisk maple syrup,apple juice and vegetable oil; pour over oatmeal mixture and stir to coat thoroughly. Spread mixture in an even layer onto a 15x12-inch baking pan. Bake for 25 minutes,stirring twice during baking time.

Cool mixture in the pan before adding raisins. Store granola in an airtight container. To serve: Pour 1 cup milk over a heaping 1/2 cup of granola. Top with fresh berries, if desired.

Substitution Idea: Instead of milk,top one cup of fat-free yogurt with the granola.

Can't you just see this granola recipe in a cute little mason jar decorated with a holiday ribbon?