Orange Maple Dark Chocolate Granola

Saw some granola at Whole Foods, and decided to make my own. I think that baking on a Silpat seemed to decrease the crispiness of the granola. Perhaps not letting them cool overnight would work better too, e.g. only letting them cool to room temp, then immediately putting into an airtight container.

- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2 cups puffed rice cereal
- 1/2 cup silvered almonds
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped dates
- zest from 1 orange

- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1/4 brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger

- coarsely chopped Hachez "Cocoa d'arriba" blackberry dark chocolate bar with bits of blackberries

1. Mix together dry ingredients.
2. Zest 1 orange directly into bowl.
3. Stir together liquid ingredients over low heat, until dissolved.
4. Pour liquid into dry ingredients, contents should clump together.
5. Spread on Silpat, bake ~ 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees F.
6. Remove from Silpat, stir granola around, transfer to cookie sheet, bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until slightly crisp.
7. Let cool
   
8. Add coarsely chopped dark chocolate.
9. Enjoy with yogurt or milk.
   

The addition of orange zest really brightened the flavor.