Honey Spiced Nut Granola

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup honey (see note)

¼ cup unsalted butter

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground allspice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups old-fashioned oats, uncooked

¾ cup shredded coconut

¾ cup chopped pecans

¾ cup chopped walnuts

½ cup sunflower kernels

1 cup dark seedless raisins

1 cup mixed dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, blueberries, etc.)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 12-by-18-inch baking sheet, or two smaller baking pans, with vegetable oil. Set aside.

In medium saucepan over medium heat melt honey, butter and spices until bubbly; stirring until combined and smooth. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract and set aside to cool.

In large heat-proof mixing bowl stir together oats, coconut and nuts until well-distributed. Pour spiced honey over mixture in bowl. Stir quickly and briskly until oat/nut mixture is completed coated. Scrape bowl well.

Spoon granola mixture onto baking sheet(s) and use back of spoon to spread evenly.

Bake 35-40 minutes until golden brown, stirring with heat-proof greased spatula every 10 minutes to ensure even baking.

Cool 5 minutes on pan. Turn granola out onto large platter or parchment paper on counter; stir to create clusters. Cool another 20-30 minutes. Add raisins and dried fruit. Stir to distribute.

Cool completely. Store at room temperature, tightly covered for one month.

Serves 18.

Baker's hint: Try flavored honeys and/or gourmet ground cinnamon.

Nutrition values per serving: 283 calories, 13 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 41 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber, 5 g protein, 7 mg cholesterol, 5 mg sodium.