Skip to main content

Pumpkin Spice Granola



Pumpkin spice is out of control.  I walked down the cereal aisle the other day and just about every other product is pumpkin spice.  And I couldn't be happier.  It's just so cozy and comforting.  It's the culinary equivalent to pulling on your favorite sweater for the first time of the year.  In case you couldn't tell, Fall is my favorite.  So, after a year of having plain old granola on my yogurt for breakfast, I decided to pumpkin spice up my regular recipe.  This is what I came up with.  Not only does it taste amazing, your house will be filled with the cozy scent of Fall.

Pumpkin Spice Granola

4 1/2 cups oats (I use quick oats)
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup maple syrup (use the good, real stuff)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon pumpkin spice mix (see below)

Pumpkin Spice Mix
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 275.

Heat pumpkin and syrup in microwave for 30 seconds.  Add vanilla and pumpkin spice and whisk together.  Pour over oats and spread out onto a parchment lined baking sheet.  (I like to keep some bigger pieces in addition to the more crumbly pieces.)  Bake for 20 minutes.  Stir and bake for 15 minutes more.  Let cool on baking sheet and transfer to an air tight container.  Keeps approximately 2 weeks.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Letters to Bunny

Wow.  I didn't think I would ever be writing these letters, but I am so happy I am!  When I was pregnant with your big brother, we called him Pumpkin when he was in my belly and now I have started calling you Bunny, so that is why I call these, Letters to Bunny.  I didn't think I'd be writing these letters because it took almost 5 very long years to have you!  Now that you are here, I'm still in disbelief, but so happy I get to be a mom all over again!  Thank God! Being a mom is something I wanted to be my whole life.  When we had your big brother, Nate, it was the happiest time!  I knew right away that I wanted to have another baby.  Unfortunately, it wasn't so easy for me to get pregnant.  I didn't understand why.  We did lots of things to try to have a baby.  I went to many doctors, took many tests and x-rays, and after awhile of doing all these things, I kind of lost hope that I would ever be able to have another baby...

Citrus Cookies

In my promise to bake more to perfect my baking skills (or to hone the lack thereof), I have taken to baking citrus cookies.  The first recipe came in my January Everyday Food magazine for Lemon Icebox Cookies.  I made these probably a month ago, they lasted a couple of days and I have to admit, every night I go into the kitchen wanting something...and it's those cookies.  Tonight, Joe was gone which means I don't have to make dinner.  But I still wanted to do something in the kitchen, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to bake. Of course the first thing that came to mind was those lemon cookies.  Problem was, I had an overabundance of limes.  I considered using the same recipe and substituting lime for the lemon, but visions of powdered sugar lime meltaways danced in my head so I hopped on the trusty laptop and found a Martha Stewart recipe for Lime Meltaways.  My inadaptness at baking really shined through tonight.  I di...

Salmon Cakes

Sometimes it is hard for me to like fish. I was never a fish fan growing up and there are still many fish that I just can’t make myself like. That fishy smell and taste, and that worry that a fish bone might end up in my throat just kind of makes me nervous. Ok, I realize I am probably not turning you non-fish lovers onto fish with this description. But let me give you a few reasons that might make you open your mind just slightly to giving fish a small place in your diet. The oils in fish, especially the ones in salmon, are terrific for your body. Not only are they heart healthy, but they help make your skin, nails and hair more radiant – couldn’t we all use a little more shine to our hair and nails? That benefit alone forces me to set aside my prejudice and find recipes that make eating fish a more tasty and appealing option. This recipe is a great example for anti-fish converts. Salmon cakes are a great dish for lunch or light dinner. The Dijon mustard and scallions add flavor th...