Chai Spiced Granola

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone baking mats, or spray well with cooking spray.
2. Add the honey, butter, and canola oil to a medium saucepan. Warm over low heat, until the butter is melted; whisking periodically to blend (emulsify) the butter and oil into the honey. Remove from heat.
3. Whisk in the vanilla, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and white pepper until combined. Set aside to cool slightly.
4. In a large bowl, pour oats, wheat germ, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds. Toss with your hands to combine.
5. Pour the honey spice mixture over the oat mixture. Stir with a rubber spatula while pressing against the sides of the bowl to be sure that honey spice mixture evenly coats the oat mixture.
6. Divide between the two prepared baking sheets, and spread into a thin layer in the pans.
7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until toasted and golden brown. Stirring is important for even toasting, and to keep the granola from being adhered to the pan.
8. Remove from the oven (do not stir yet) and cool completely on the baking sheets.
9. Once cooled, gently stir to break apart, leaving some larger chunks.
10. Stir in dried fruit.
11. Store in quart jars or other airtight container. Serve alone as a snack, over yogurt, or in a bowl with milk. (Or ice cream!)

VARIATION: For Chocolate Chai Granola, whisk ¼ Cup unsweetened cocoa powder with the spices into the warm honey mixture. Proceed with the rest of the recipe as written.