Easy Homemade Granola

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Place the oats on a rimmed baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. While the oats toast, prepare the wet ingredients.
2. Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Remove the bowl from the microwave. Add the peanut butter, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon vanilla to the hot melted butter and stir until everything is melted and well blended.
3. In a food processor, pulse the peanuts and raisins on high until finely chopped. You can be the judge of how big you want the pieces, but I went for a fine but coarse blend.
4. Combine the oats, wet ingredients, and peanuts/raisins in a large mixing bowl. Use a spoon or spatula to thoroughly coat the oats.
5. Reduce oven temperature to 300 F.
6. Prepare a 9×9 glass baking dish by spraying it with non-stick canola spray.
7. Pour the oats mixture into the prepared baking dish. Use your fingers to press the mixture down and create an even layer. I have found that I need to either dampen my fingers with water or non-stick spray.
8. Bake at 300 F for 30 minutes.
9. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the counter for 1 hour. You can turn off the oven at this point but you’ll want to preheat it again to 300 F toward the end of the hour of cooling.
10. Using a fork, break the granola apart into chunks.
11. Spread it on a rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon and brown sugar.
12. Bake at 300 F for 15 minutes. Watch the granola closely after 10 minutes to prevent the brown sugar from burning.
13. When done remove the pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely and then place an airtight container or sandwich bags.