Pina Colada Granola

There's nothing like granola in the morning, especially when it's homemade. However, most recipes call for too much butter, oil, or sugar, and the health benefits of eating a whole grain breakfast are overshadowed by empty calories and fat grams.

I've tried my hand at a few granola recipes, like gingerbread granola, and I'm always into trying another. This one is delicious, and with the addition of pineapple that was suggested by my good friend E, it has the perfect combination of flavors.



Pina Colada Granola
4 c oats
1 c flaked coconut
1 c slivered almonds
1/2 c wheat germ
1/2 c golden flax seed (or regular flax seed)
1/2 c dried pineapple tidbits
4 tbsp butter
1/4 c light brown sugar
1/4 c honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine oats, coconut, almonds, wheat germ, and flax seed in a large bowl. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Add brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Stir together until well combined. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over oat mixture and stir well. Spread on 2 well-greased cookie sheets and place into preheated oven. Bake 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool, without stirring, before adding the pineapple pieces. Store in a airtight container.