Favorite Tropical Granola

Well, the weather outside is frightful and I am not going anyplace warm soon, so what is the next best thing?  TROPICAL GRANOLA of  course!!!  This is a favorite of family, friends, neighbors and workplace co-workers!

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt
2 1/2 cups bran flakes cereal
3 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
2 1/2 cups sliced almonds
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
3/4 cup unsalted butter
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dried pineapple
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup dried mango
1/2 dried papaya

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line two rimmed baking sheets with foil. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, whisk brown sugar and salt into butter until mixture is blended smooth and sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat. In a large bowl combine oats, flake cereal, coconut, almonds and cinnamon. mix well. Stir in vanilla extract into butter and sugar. Pour butter mixture over dry ingredients and mix until combined. All dry ingredients should be coated with butter mixture. Divide granola between the two baking sheets, spreading it into an even layer.  Bake for 30 minutes. Stir granola, rotate pans and bake an additional 20 to 30 minutes until granola is golden. WATCH CAREFULLY during the last ten minutes as the granola can burn easily at this point. Pour granola into large mixing bowl and stir in all of your dried fruit. Chop fruit if necessary. Let cool at room temperature.  Store in an airtight container.  Serve with your favorite yogurt!  As you can see from the above image, this granola does not last long in my house!

Enjoy,