Lots-o-Goodies Granola

Preheat oven to 250ºF.

Pour apple juice into a small sauce pan and bring to a boil. While that’s heating up, roughly chop the prunes so they are about the same size as the other dried fruits. Put all of the dried fruits in the boiling apple juice and simmer for 5 minutes. This just brings the dried fruit back to life a bit, and adds a bit of flavor. Strain fruit and discard the apple juice.

Now, in a large bowl combine your oats, brown sugar, coconut, pecans and pumpkin seeds. Give it a good stir with a big wooden spoon and then add your dried fruits. Stir in the maple syrup and vegetable oil until everything is well coated.

Spread the granola out in an even layer on two cookie sheets. Place in the oven and bake for an hour and 15 minutes, stirring granola every 15–20 minutes to assure that it browns evenly.