Favorite Granola and a WINNER!!

Thank you for everyone who entered for the Flirty Apron Giveaway!! I really wish I had one for each one of you. Since I could not possibly choose just one of you myself, I relied on random.org to generate a number for me. The winning number was...206

Comment 206 was left by Michelle, Jack and Charlie! , who wrote:

"The original sassy black is the one I would love to cook up a storm in:) Thanks for doing this! I just love your blog and have told all my friends to check it out:) "

Thanks so much! Please email me at melandboys@gmail.com with your address and I will get the original sassy black apron out to you!

As I type this I have my favorite Granola recipe baking in the oven. My house smells sooo good. This was one of the first recipes I posted in the very beginning of this little blog. Since that was awhile ago and we now have so many recipes to get lost in, I thought I would uncover this little gem for ya'll ( I know the south is rubbing off on me:)!

Melanie's Favorite Granola
This granola recipe is EXCELLENT!! I love it! I have tried different granola recipes and they have been too sweet, soggy or sticky...but this one is just perfect! It even stays crunchy in milk! I love that it has flax seed in it. (they are rich in Omega 3's --always a plus in your diet!) I also love the cardamon in it. I had never used it before (I actually bought the spice for this recipe). I am definitely going to find other recipes to use it in. I think it has a slightly woodsy aroma and adds a subtle, intriguing flavor! (I cannot remember where I scribbled this recipe down from--I made a few changes--but thanks to someone!)

My Favorite Granola
submitted by Melanie

3 ¼ cups oats (Old Fashioned or Quick—any combination)
1 ¼ cup whole wheat flour-freshly ground if possible
1 1/3 cup shredded coconut
¼ cup flax seed (optional)
1 cup or more coarsely chopped almonds and/or pecans
1 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
1/3 cup water
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp cardamom

Preheat oven to 300. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, flax seed, coconut and nuts. Set aside. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, butter, and water and heat until the butter has melted and the mixture is bubbly. Using a wooden spoon, stir the mixture together until smooth, and then stir in the salt, vanilla and spices. Pour mixture over the oats mixture and stir will to coat. Let stand for about 10 minutes.
Spread mixture on a large baking sheet, separating it into irregular clumps with your fingers, and allowing space between clumps for the hot air to circulate. Slide it into the middle of the oven and bake until the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir to break up the mixture into medium sized clumps. Return to the oven and bake again for 15 minutes before stirring again. Bake for another 15 minutes or until the granola is uniform golden brown and completely dry—this usually takes me about 45 minutes . Cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an air tight container.