Homemade Granola

Cherry, Almond, and Cinnamon Granola is a fantastic breakfast treat for this time of year.  The smells of cinnamon and toasted almonds emanating from your oven will make you happy that it is fall.  This  recipe is Ina's own variation, featured on her Food Network show.  It is based on her granola recipe in The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.  

Here are few changes I make.  I thoroughly mix the dry ingredients before adding the vegetable oil and honey.  Instead of a sheet pan, I use a my roasting pan so that the granola doesn't spill over when it is stirred.  In addition, after reading some of the comments on the Food Network website, here are a few things to try next time.  Adding the coconut and cherries late in the cooking process since they have a shorter cooking time.  Lowering the oven temperature and doing more of a slow bake.  I will also try adding some brown sugar to make it a little sweeter. 

I have made this recipe probably a dozen times, and it is generally a big hit, but even the best of things can be improved upon, right?  This recipe makes a nice hostess gift or holiday gift wrapped in a cellophane bag with a piece of raffia.