Northwest Style Granola!

With the economy in the tank and no light at the end yet, I have many excuses to start canning, preserving and drying...(summer's a good reason too.) Also, simple foods made with the best ingredients can be a big hit and a lot of fun to make.
Here's my interpretation of a granola recipe my Grandmother used to make. I grew up eating this stuff! When its fresh out of the oven, it smells like hot oatmeal cookies or wintery mulled spices. MMMM...

4 c. rolled organic oats
1 c. wheat germ
1/2 c. hemp seeds
1/4 c. flax seeds
1/2 c. hazel nuts
1 tbs. cinnamon
1/2 tbs. cardamom
1 tsp. fresh grated nutmeg
1 c. dried cranberries
1 c. medjool dates
1/2 c. orange blossom honey
1 stick salted butter
1 vanilla bean ( split and seeded )
1 star anise seed

Preheat oven to 350*. Toss the first 8 ingredients together in a bowl. Begin melting butter with honey, vanilla, and anise in a small pot. Pour the honey butter over the bowl of dry ingredients and toss together with a spatula. Discard the vanilla pod and star anise. Lay out the mix on a parchment lined sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes then remix the ingredients and bake for 10 more minutes. Let cool on sheet pan and voila! Ther you have it! Keep it in your fridge and it will last up to a month in an air tight container. Although mine only lasts a few days. Enjoy