Munch-worthy

 

I love that people know me so well. 

My instructional assistant, Debbi, knows that I love granola, pumpkin and Pinterest.  So, when I got her email the other day for Pumpkin Pie Granola pinned from Pinterest, I knew I would have to give it a shot.

So, last night before heading to a Pampered Chef party at my dear friend Susie’s house, I whipped up a batch.  Even though the granola made the house smell delicious, the end result was a little bit different than I had imagined.

 

 

The “chunks” of granola were pretty big, and the crispiness was good, but parts were still a little bit soft in the middle.  To be honest, I wasn’t sure I was in love with the recipe, but as I was letting it cool I kept going back for more, and more and more.  I couldn’t stay away (especially after adding walnuts, cinnamon chips and dark chocolate chips).

In a nutshell, this granola may not be the best recipe ever, but it is definitely munch-worthy and makes a healthy fall snack to have around. Try it out and see what you think!

Enjoy!

 

 

Pumpkin Pie Granola

Print this recipe!

4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp . pumpkin pie spice
1 cup sugar
½ tsp salt
1 tsp . baking powder
¾ cups pumpkin
½ cup Applesauce (unsweetened)
3 TBSP maple syrup (or honey or agave nectar)

Optional add-ins: chocolate chips(white, semi-sweet, dark), 1 cup honey teddy graham lightly crushed, walnuts, almonds, dried cherries

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet by spraying with cooking spray. Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl, and the wet ingredients in another. Mix wet and dry ingredients together until it is well combined.

Dump granola on baking sheet, spread out, and bake for 20 minutes. Take out of the oven, stir, and then bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the granola is golden brown and is crisp. (Mine wasn’t completely crisp out of the oven but after it cooled it was better – I ended up putting it in for an additional 10 minutes to crisp even more).

Let cool completely and then add in the optional add-ins at this point if desired.  Can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week.

 

GLG

 

So, Jersey Shore has GTL: Gym, Tan, Laundry. 

I have GLG: Grocery Lane Granola.

 

 

 

 

I was talking to my friend Ferg the other night on the phone, and she was asking, since I was a teacher, if I had any ideas on what she could get her son’s teachers for Christmas.  She was planning on giving gift cards (always a good choice) but wanted to do something homemade as well to make it a bit more personal. 

 

 

After thinking about it for a day or two, my suggestion, which I haven’t even talked to her about – hope she’s reading this morning, hi Fergie! - would be homemade granola. 

I am always getting cookies and chocolates as gifts from my students, which are much appreciated, but homemade granola would be a much healthier alternative for snacking during an already calorie heavy holiday.

 

 

Packaged in some cute mason jars, this granola is a great gift for for teachers, co-workers and even used as a stocking stuffer!

This version of my granola recipe makes a HUGE batch.  If you don’t need extra for gift giving, just halve the recipe and it tastes just as delicious!  Enjoy!

 

Grocery Lane Granola

Print this recipe!

8 C quick cooking oats

1 C brown sugar

1/2  C water

1/2  t salt

1 t vanilla extract

2 t cinnamon

1 T canola/vegetable oil

1 C chopped walnuts

2 C dried Bing cherries (can also use Craisins)

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine oats, walnuts, and cinnamon in a large bowl.

In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, water and salt.  Cook and stir over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until the brown sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Pour over oat mixture and add oil. Stir to coat.

Spread onto two baking sheets.  Bake for 25-30 minutes stirring every 10 minutes until golden brown.  Add Bing cherries for the last 10 minutes of cooking time.

 

Cool and sore in airtight container.  Viola!

 

• Add a ribbon and gift tag and you have a wonderful, healthy holiday gift!

 

• This granola is great served over yogurt or applesauce, with milk as a cereal or used as a topping when eating bananas topped with peanut butter (my favorite)!