Utopia granola is a fantastic adult summer treats are great to serve at a cookout or backyard party or as a refreshing reward after a day of frolicking in the sun. I’ll take my drink to go!

Ingredients

DRY MIXTURE

8 cups rolled oats

1½ cups wheat germ

1½ cups brown sugar

ADDITIONS

(choose as many as you like)

½ cup shredded dried coconut

(sweetened or unsweetened)

½ cup raw slivered or sliced

almonds

½ cup raw pumpkin seeds

½ cup chopped candied

orange or lemon peel

½ cup raw sunflower seeds

½ cup chopped dates

½ cup flaxseeds

½ cup raisins

½ cup chopped raw pecans

½ cup dried fruit

(blueberries, cherries, or cranberries)

½ cup chopped candied ginger

¼ cup sesame seeds

WET MIXTURE

¾ cup maple syrup

½ cup water

½ cup canola oil

½ cup peanut butter

(salted or unsalted)

1½ tablespoons blackstrap

or other dark molasses

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

Method

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F and oil 6 baking sheets.

Combine the dry mixture with the additions of your choice in a large bowl.

Combine the wet ingredients in a small saucepan and warm the mixture on medium heat until melted. Whisk until smooth.

Pour into the dry mixture and mix with a wooden spoon until evenly distributed. Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 2 hours, or until lightly browned. Transfer to large dishes to cool. Store in sealed containers in the refrigerator.