Holiday Spice Granola

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2/3 cup flax seeds
• 2/3 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup whole almonds
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1/3 cup chia seeds
• 1 /2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup diced dried apricots

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Set parchment on a rimmed baking sheet, using a piece that extends about 1 inch past the edges on every side. In a saucepan set over medium heat, combine the maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and cloves. Cook, stirring now and then, for 2 minutes, until the mixture is loose and warm and the salt has dissolved.
2. In a large bowl, toss together the oats, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, and chia seeds. Pour the warm syrup mixture over the oat mixture, then stir until everything is well coated. Tip it onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even layer.
3. Bake the granola for 15 minutes, then take the pan out of the oven. Use the parchment corners to draw the granola into a mound in the middle of the pan. Stir it with a large spoon, then spread it back out evenly.
4. Put the pan back in the oven for 5 minutes. Take it out and gather the granola toward the center again. If some spots still look too light, stir once more, spread it out again, and bake for 3 or 4 minutes longer. The full baking time should be 20 to 25 minutes. Leave the granola on the baking sheet until it has cooled completely.
5. Sprinkle the cranberries and apricots over the cooled granola and stir them in. Move the granola to an airtight jar or tin and store it at room temperature for several weeks.