Homemade Baked Apple Granola

Homemade baked apple granola, served with sour cream.

This is a simple, healthy breakfast treat that you can make, instead of getting commercial granola. It has the healthy crunch of oats, the fragrance of dessicated coconut and the vitamins from green and red apples.

BAKED APPLE GRANOLA

Serves 4

Filling:

2 red apples, cut into chunks; no need to remove the skin (unless you prefer to)

2 Granny Smith (green) apples, cut into chunks 

(Note: if you want more of a sweet taste, use 2 red apples instead)

Juice and rind from one lemon

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon cornstarch

Topping:

1 cup oats

1/4 cup desiccated coconut

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup chopped almonds

1/4 tablespoon cornstarch

4 tablespoons butter

Procedure:

1.  Preheat oven to 350F. Brush a deep baking dish with oil.  Put the apple chunks, lemon juice and rind. Mix well with a spoon, coating the fruit so that it does not brown.

2. Add the salt, sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch.  Mix well until the apples are evenly coated.  Set aside.

3. To make the topping, heat the butter in a pan and add the honey.  Add the oats, coconut, almonds and cornstarch. Mix well until clumpy.

4.  Spoon the oat topping onto the apples. Level off with a spatula. 

You might want to sprinkle some cinnamon on top.  Tightly cover the dish with foil.  Bake for 40 minutes, and an additional 5 minutes more, uncovered.

Eat as is, or top with a dollop of sour cream.