Granola comfort food

My daughter, visiting from college and taking some home with her again, recently proclaimed my granola "The ultimate comfort food from home" - so I thought I would post it here where she (or anyone else so inclined including my own potentially forgetful future self) might sample it.

Granola

8 c. rolled oats
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 c. wheat germ
3/4 c. bran flakes, lightly crushed
1 c. shredded coconut, unsweetened
1 c. chopped nuts (salted cashews, regular pecans)
1/2 c. sliced almonds
1 c. sunflower seeds (shelled, of course)
1 c. raisins (I mix regular and golden)
1 c. sesame seeds
(optionals for variation: Add some finely diced candied ginger, some dried cranberries, currants, snips of dried apple, shake in some cinnamon, substitute rolled barley for some of the oats, etc.)

1/2 c. vegetable oil
3/4 c. honey (can mix in part agave if you like)
1 T. vanilla

Combine all dry ingredients in a big bowl and mix thoroughly. Stir liquids together and add to dry stuff, mix again. Grease 2 large cookie sheets, or line with parchment paper.  Divide granola, spreading evenly.  Bake uncovered in 300 degree oven for 35-40 minutes, stirring about every 10 minutes.  Watch to be sure it doesn't burn towards the end.  Remove from oven and let cool then chunk up and store in airtight containers.

I usually double this in my giant metal popcorn bowl, which makes a huge amount of granola that nevertheless disappears very quickly.  Extra can be kept in quart canning jars on the shelf with plastic screw-on lids, or in tupperware, etc. A lot of it is 'mix and match' and amounts are somewhat approximate, just slightly increase your liquids if you add a lot of extra dry.

Makes the house smell like cookies are baking when you make it - very nice.