With ten children, this was our cereal recipe for a long time. We got more creative as time went on, but it can't be any easier than this!

You can omit nuts, and use dried fruit instead. We love dried dates! I had dried cherries on hand and that's what I used for this recipe - with the peanut butter, it was delicious. Try stirring in yogurt-covered raisins after it cools. 

If you don't want to use butter, you can try coconut oil or whatever you prefer as the fat. I haven't tried coconut oil, and I'm not sure of the ratio to butter, you'll need to test it. You need several cups to stir into the oats before baking, so if it's too dry, you'll need to make more.

You can get very creative, as long as you don't turn the fat and sugar into candy when you heat it together.

About 20 servings

Old Fashioned Oats 20 cups - Put in a large bowl and set aside. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350°.

Easy Granola Recipe

2 c. finely chopped nuts
1 1/2 c. butter
1 1/2 - 2 c. peanut butter (or other butter)
3 tsp. vanilla or almond extract
1 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. pure maple syrup
2 c. finely chopped dried cherries (or other dried fruit)

In a skillet, melt the butter. Add the chopped nuts, and extract. Toast the nuts slightly. Add the peanut butter, sugar, syrup and dried fruit. Bubble for a few minutes until all melted together - do not hard boil this, keep the heat at medium.

Pour the melted mixture over the oats. Stir until everything is coated. Spread onto the baking sheet.

Here's where you have to be careful. Put it in the oven and set a timer for 6 minutes. Stir and set the timer again. Do this several times until you're happy with the texture. I do this until the oats are light brown. (Hit the picture in picture to play off to the side, it really does get nice and crunchy)

If you don't stop and stir, the granola will burn on the bottom. As the granola cools, it gets crunchy and you can store it in an airtight cereal container for up to a week. Enjoy!