homemade granola ...did I do this wrong?

[cindyleigh]

Today I made homemade granola for the first time.  I buy a bag of Bear Naken granola once a week and I swear the package just get smaller and smaller and the price higher and higher.

So, I skimmed a recipe, mixed the ingredients (oats, nuts, dried fruit, etc.) and then baked it.

Then ...I read the recipe again and it says to add the dried fruit after you bake it.  Err..oops.  But it seems to taste fine.  Why do you add the fruit afterwards?  I used raisins, cranberries and dried blueberries.  Maybe some fruit taste bad if you bake it?

[GreenMan]

The dried fruit just gets drier and harder if you bake it with the rest of the granola. It's a more pleasant experience if you mix it in later. But it doesn't ruin it or anything. I did the same thing the first time I made granola and it was OK.

[cindyleigh]

Okay, yeah ...the blueberries are a bit gummy now.  Next time I'll remember to put them in afterwards.  Other than that, it did turn out quite well and I plan to make it again.  I doubt I'll every buy granola again.

[RioG]

when I've done it I find the raisins burn.

what recipe did you use?  do you like it?

[moroccangirl]

Runamok posted this a long time ago and it's been a favorite ever since. It's really a perfect recipe.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Vanilla-Scented-Granola-106306

[onawhim]

I kind of like when the fruit gets caramelized so I put it in halfway. 

[mango]

... the package just get smaller and smaller and the price higher and higher.

I too have noticed this sadly disturbing "shrinkflation" trend across a wide range of food products.