Super Simple Granola

This came together so quickly and didn't need to bake as long as other granolas I've made, so I am completely sold.  Plus, I'm always looking for ways to use up overripe bananas.  I had never managed to locate unsweetened shredded coconut before, but I finally found it in the bulk foods section at Smith's.  That stuff is amazing!  So many billion times better than it's sweetened version!  Get it!  Use it!  Love it!

4 C old fashioned oats

1/2 C brown sugar (I did closer to 1/3 C and it still was plenty sweet, and I will probably try honey next time)

1 C unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 C maple syrup or agave nectar

1/4 C apple juice

1 ripe banana

Optional Add-Ins (up to 1/2 C each):

Slivered almonds (do us all a favor and toast them first if you're gonna use 'em)

Chopped cashews

Pine nuts (again, please toast these)

Golden raisins (I used the black kind and we did just fine)

Dried goji berries (I don't see why you couldn't use any sort of dried berry, really)

Currants

Heat oven to 300 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, and coconut.  In a blender combine maple syrup, apple juice, and banana (if you're using honey, add it here).  Process until smooth.

Pour the contents of the blender into the bowl and stir.  Add a splash of apple juice if the mixture seems too dry.  Spread mixture evenly onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment or waxed paper.  Bake 45 minutes (I took mine out and stirred it about halfway through).

Add any combo of the optional ingredients, if you want.  Stir mixture and bake an additional 10-15 minutes, or until it's as brown as you like it.

Cool completely.

Try to not eat it all off the pan so you can have some for breakfast in the morning.  You may have to swat away all of the other snitchy hands in your family to accomplish this.