Honey Almond Granola

I like to eat granola now and then, but THIS granola has taken over my life. I made it a couple of days ago and already my family has gone through 2 batches! Maybe I am crazy, but the combination of honey, coconut oil, and almonds just gets me every time. My husband even ate a bowl of it this morning for breakfast and said it was the best he had ever tried. He even added raisins to his just because (what the?). I am happy that he has FINALLY found something he can enjoy using almond milk because I am always trying to get him to try different cereals with it, but he says it's just not the same. We both gave up drinking cows milk a couple of years ago due to dairy intolerances and I am so happy that he was able to enjoy a good old bowl of cold cereal again! I have a feeling I will be making this one quite often, which I am perfectly okay with.

1 cup slivered almonds, divided

3 cups, old fashioned oats

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup coconut palm sugar (or brown sugar)

1/3 cup honey

3 tablespoons coconut oil

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor or blender, pulse 1/2 cup of the slivered almonds until they are finely chopped. Pour them into a large bowl along with the oats, salt, sugar and the other 1/2 cup of slivered almonds. Stir to combine. In a small pot melt the honey and coconut oil and stir to dissolve the coconut oil. Once melted, remove from heat and add the vanilla extract and almond extract if using. Pour the honey mixture over the oats and mix well. Pour the oats evenly on a lined baking sheet and bake in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and stir them around, then return to the oven and bake them for another 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. Watch them carefully, as they brown VERY quickly and you do not want them to burn! Pour the granola on a piece of wax paper and spread it out into a thin layer. After it cools completely, break into little granola clusters and store in an airtight container. Makes about 4 cups.
Enjoy - Alex